Abstract
Cerro de Pasco, Peru, has been excessively contaminated with heavy metals due to high mining activities in the region. We investigated the presence of chronic exposure to heavy metals in children living in Cerro de Pasco and its effect on health. Heavy metal concentrations were determined in hair samples collected from 78 children living in a region exposed to an open-pit mine (Paragsha region) and from other 16 children unexposed to mine activities (Carhuamayo region). Children exposed to the mine showed statistically significant higher concentration of aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, iron, lead, tin and thallium (p < 0.05) than control children. Hair samples collected from the same children in two occasions (2016 and 2018) showed that the exposure is chronic with higher levels of heavy metals observed in 2018. The concentration of heavy metals was higher in hair tip than in hair root samples. Heavy metals are associated with substantial higher risk of nosebleed (odds ratio, OR = 15.40), chronic colic (OR = 7.30), dermatologic alterations (OR = 6.16), mood alterations (OR = 7.07), presence of white lines on nails (OR = 12.10), reduced visual camp (OR = 3.97) and other symptoms (OR = 5.12). Chronic heavy metal exposure implies various negative consequences on children’s health. Preventive measures are crucial to protect children’s health.
Highlights
Cerro de Pasco, Peru, has been excessively contaminated with heavy metals due to high mining activities in the region
Heavy metals is a widely used term to refer to a category of metallic elements of high molecular weight (≥ 20) and density when compared to water (≥ 5 g/cm3)[1,2]
We investigated the associations of heavy metal concentrations, irrespective of the place of residence, with the manifestation of clinical symptoms by calculating Pearson’s chi-squared X 2 test p-value
Summary
Cerro de Pasco, Peru, has been excessively contaminated with heavy metals due to high mining activities in the region. We investigated the presence of chronic exposure to heavy metals in children living in Cerro de Pasco and its effect on health. Heavy metals are naturally occurring, and their presence at very low levels is essential to maintain various biochemical and physiological functions in living o rganisms[3]. The mining activity in the Peruvian Andes takes place on farmers community lands and h eadwaters[20], and the presence of excessive levels of heavy metals in the air, soil (agricultural and recreational) and water has been already demonstrated[20,21,22,23,24,25]. The Peruvian government has recently placed a barrier surrounding the mine to reduce heavy metal pollution
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
