Abstract
The gold rush in the Amazon Region caused an increase of mercury (Hg) levels in the environment, and, consequently, raised human exposure. Once released into aquatic systems, Hg could generate methylmercury (MeHg), an extremely toxic compound, which is accumulated through trophic chains. Several studies have provided evidences of the brain sensitivity to MeHg, as well as, of the fetus vulnerability during pregnancy. The main objective of this study was to estimate the Mild Mental Retardation (MMR) in Amazonian populations, caused by prenatal exposure to MeHg, using the methodology proposed by Poulin (2008), which quantifies the environmental burden of disease. The estimates of the MMR burden, attributed to prenatal MeHg exposure, were based on the calculation of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY), which were obtained from MMR incidence rate in the studied populations. At the local level, the MMR incidence rate calculations were based on primary data of MeHg exposure of riverine women at childbearing age. The MMR incidence rate was equal to 5.96/1,000 infants, which would result in 2.0 IQ points loss in 34.31% of the newborns. The estimated DALY/1,000 infants was equal to 71.2, while the DALY was 576. For the regional estimates, different exposure scenarios were created. The calculated DALY varied from 3,256 to 65,952 per year.
Highlights
In 2015, the Blacksmith Institute classified mercury (Hg) as the third most dangerous environmental pollutant for human health
The main objective of this paper was to estimate the health impact caused by prenatal exposure to MeHg in riverine Amazonian populations, using methods to quantify the environmental burden of disease (EBD) attributable to this risk factor, following the approach proposed by the World Health Organization[22]
The Mild Mental Retardation (MMR) incidence rate in this population was estimated as 5.96/1,000 infants, resulting in 71.2 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY)/1,000 infants, due to MMR induced by MeHg, and a total DALY equal to 576
Summary
In 2015, the Blacksmith Institute classified mercury (Hg) as the third most dangerous environmental pollutant for human health. According to their last report, 19 million people are at risk worldwide due to Hg exposure and the main global source of Hg emissions is the artisanal gold mining[1]. MeHg is a mercury-organic compound, which is assimilated and accumulated through aquatic trophic chains, due to its lipophilic nature[6]. This phenomenon might cause serious impacts in the riverine Amazonian populations, which have freshwater fishes as main protein source in their diet. These communities can be considered as vulnerable to MeHg exposure[7]
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