Levels of Lead and Mercury in Population Environmentally Exposed

Abstract

Levels of Lead and Mercury in Population Environmentally ExposedAbstract Number:2483 Fátima Moreira, Fernanda Bergamini*, Andrea Sobral, Leda Jesus, Sayonara Azevedo, and Regina Gomes Fátima Moreira Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/National School of Public Health, Brazil, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Fernanda Bergamini* Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/National School of Public Health, Brazil, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Andrea Sobral Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/National School of Public Health, Brazil, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Leda Jesus Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/National School of Public Health, Brazil, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Sayonara Azevedo Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/National School of Public Health, Brazil, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , and Regina Gomes Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/National School of Public Health, Brazil, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author AbstractSome regions in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, are significant sources of water and sediment to the Brazilian Pantanal, one of the most important ecological reserves in the world. Mining, cattle breeding and agriculture are carried out near this biome. Currently there are 14 mines and 200 large loaves, working in gold extraction. At the peak of activity, sediment and biota of some rivers had high degree of mercury contamination as well as high concentrations of the metal were also found in human urine, air, soil and dust samples. Deforestation threatens biodiversity and also contributes to the emission of lead into the environment. The aim was to assess levels of lead in blood and mercury in urine from an environmentally exposed population. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the determination of lead in blood (Pb-B) and mercury in urine (Hg-U) from residents in Pantanal. Student’s t test, Mann-Whitney, Spearman and ANOVA were used in the statistical analysis with a confidence interval of 95%. All samples showed levels within the reference range for the general population, with means equal to 2.82 ± 1.5 µg dL-1 for Pb-B (n = 119) and 1.41 ± 0.98 µg L-1 for Hg-U (n = 109). A comparison of Pb-B with site of collection (p = 0.01), work activities (p = 0.01) and consumption of milk produced in the region (p = 0.05) showed significant differences between these variables. Moreover, Hg-U levels differ only with respect to the occupation of the participants (p = 0.01). Positive associations between Pb-B and site of collection (p = 0.01), occupation of the subjects (p = 0.05) and consumption of milk produced in the region (p = 0.01) were found. However, a positive association was only between Hg-U and professional activity (p = 0.05) and body mass index (p = 0.01). Exposure to lead appears to originate from burnings while exposure to mercury comes from gold mining. Measures are needed to protect the local population from exposure to these metals.