Abstract

In recent decades, widespread and uncontrolled use of mercury (Hg) in artisanal small-scale gold mining has released thousands of tons of mercury-contaminated waste in the Amazon biome, endangering the largest tropical rainforest worldwide. In this study, we assessed and compared blood Hg levels in individuals living in urban and riverine areas in the lower Tapajós basin and examined the association between Hg exposure and specific biochemical parameters. In total, 462 adults from eight riverine communities and one urban area were assessed. Overall, 75.6% of the participants exhibited Hg concentrations exceeding the safe limit (10 µg/L). Hg exposure was higher in the riverine population (90%) than in urban areas (57.1%). Mean Hg levels were 21.8 ± 30.9 µg/L and 50.6 µg/L in urban and riverine residents, respectively. The mean Hg level was higher in those aged 41–60 years in both urban and riparian areas, with riparian residents exhibiting a mean double that of urban residents. The highest glucose and hepatic biomarker levels were detected in the urban area, whereas the highest levels of renal biomarker occurred in the riverine population. Our results indicate that Hg contamination remains a persistent challenge for the urban population of Santarém, a major city in the Brazilian Amazon.

Highlights

  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCSA), Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz Av

  • Hg levels were detected in all 203 individuals from Santarém City and 259 participants from riverine communities assessed in the present study

  • Mean Hg levels in the high exposure group were 48.3 ± 58.5 μg/L, whereas the low exposure group showed a level of 6.2 ± 2.2 μg/L

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Summary

Introduction

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCSA), Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz Av. Hg levels in individuals living in urban and riverine areas in the lower Tapajós basin and examined the association between Hg exposure and specific biochemical parameters. 462 adults from eight riverine communities and one urban area were assessed. Hg exposure was higher in the riverine population (90%) than in urban areas (57.1%). The mean Hg level was higher in those aged. The highest glucose and hepatic biomarker levels were detected in the urban area, whereas the highest levels of renal biomarker occurred in the riverine population. Our results indicate that Hg contamination remains a persistent challenge for the urban population of Santarém, a major city in the Brazilian Amazon. A naturally occurring element, human activities have increased the total atmospheric Hg concentration by approximately 450% above natural levels [1]. In Latin America, artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) remains the primary source of Hg emissions and contamination [2], and along with biomass burning and deforestation, accounts for most of the Hg released in the Amazon [3]

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