Evaluation of mercury levels in hair of children resident in artisanal gold mining area in the city of Chapada de Natividade - Tocantins

Seyna Ueno Rabelo Mendes,Marilia Gabriela Miranda Catharino,Gilson Alves Quinaglia,Barbara Held,Marina Beatriz Agostini Vasconcellos

doi:10.15392/bjrs.v7i2a.750

Seyna Ueno Rabelo Mendes, Marilia Gabriela Miranda Catharino + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15392/bjrs.v7i2a.750

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Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of the work is to evaluate the mercury exposure of children living in an artisanal gold mining area and in a control area, without mining. A cross-sectional study was conducted with children living in the municipalities of Chapada de Natividade and Porto Nacional, in the State of Tocantins, where hair samples were collected for laboratorial analysis of mercury concentrations, comparing between municipalities, gender, monthly fish consumption, profession of parents and the presence of amalgam in dental restorations. The hair samples were analyzed by the methods of neutron activation analysis and also by means of the DMA (Direct Mercury Analyzer) equipment, in the last case being a partnership with CETESB. There was no evidence of mercury-related diseases in the studied children. The mean concentration of mercury in children in Chapada de Natividade was significantly higher than in Porto Nacional. Children exposed to artisanal gold mining areas have higher concentrations of mercury than children living in non- artisanal gold mining areas. There was no significant relationship between mercury concentrations and gender, monthly fish consumption, parental profession and amalgam presence in dental restorations. The results suggest that the children living in an area exposed to mining experience greater environmental exposure to mercury, regardless of their eating habits.

Highlights

Mercury (Hg) can be found naturally in the environment or as a consequence of human activities
Historic episodes of mercury intoxication of great population impact occurred in Japan, in the 1960 ́s and in Iraq, in the 1970 ́s, and had, as consequences, sensorial and movement alterations in the exposed people and resulted in many deaths [2]
The children were selected from the cadaster of the public service of basic attention (SUS), in their municipalities, and were invited to participate during visits at their homes

Summary

Introduction

Mercury (Hg) can be found naturally in the environment or as a consequence of human activities. Elevated levels of mercury in humans, mainly as methylmercury (MeHg) are related to the consumption of fish and other seafood, such as shrimp, crab, octopus and others [1]. MeHg is one of the main chemical forms of mercury and it is a well-known neurotoxin. MeHg in the human body presents a relatively long half life, of about 70 to 80 days [1]. Historic episodes of mercury intoxication of great population impact occurred in Japan, in the 1960 ́s and in Iraq, in the 1970 ́s, and had, as consequences, sensorial and movement alterations in the exposed people and resulted in many deaths [2]. In Japan, these effects became known as Minamata disease

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