In 2008,the works of the Petrochemical Complex of Rio de Janeiro (Comperj) began, and it became the largest undertaking of Petrobras and one of the world's largest in the sector. However, before starting the works,Petrobras sought the National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca (ENSP/Fiocruz) to perform a pioneering activity.

"Eight years ago, we made a diagnosis of the situation of Comperj area, at a time when Petrobras had not yet stuck the first stake of the work. This report became famous at Fiocruz and Petrobras, for being the first situational diagnosis made in an undertaking that would still be deployed", said Professor Luciano Toledo, responsible for monitoring.

It was so successful that, after the sanitary inspection report made on the deployment area of the future development was delivered, Petrobras invited Ensp/Fiocruz to monitor the evolution of living and health conditions in the region. Thus, the project "Epidemiological Monitoring plan in the deployment area of Comperj" was created.
 
In practice, since then, the Plan monitors, identifies and warns about the evolution of public health and safety issues in the population of the municipalities of Itaboraí, Cachoeiras de Macacu, Guapimirim and São Gonçalo (district of Monjolos) – which are the closest areas to the undertaking - in order to minimize risks of illness and death in the region.
 
Health Observatories
 
LabMep also implemented, in order to encourage a greater partnership with the municipalities involved, a Health Observatory, which works on a rotating basis. The space was designed and is being used as a strategic place of local laboratory activities, in close partnership with theUnified Health System (SUS). It serves as headquarters of several educational initiatives, as well as for technical meetings and strategic research activities.
 
Coordination Team praises partnership with Fiotec
 
The Coordination Team stressed the importance of Fiotec for the project. According to Luciano, the institution is the body providing administrative and financial management, streamlining internal work processes. “Fiotec is in charge of the management, in partnership with project technicians. Relying on the high degree of professionalism of Fiotec and the wide range of technical and scientific freedom provided by the financing agent - Petrobras - I can say with a high degree of certainty that we never had major problems in achieving the project goals", he said.