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; Marina Beatriz Agostini Vasconcellos; Marilia Gabriela Miranda Catharino; Gilson Alves Quinaglia; Barbara Held

doi:10.15392/bjrs.v7i2A.750

Autores/as

Seyna Ueno Rabelo Mendes Universidade Federal do Tocantins
Marina Beatriz Agostini Vasconcellos IPEN-CNEN/SP
Marilia Gabriela Miranda Catharino IPEN-CNEN/SP
Gilson Alves Quinaglia CETESB
Barbara Held CETESB

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/bjrs.v7i2A.750

Palabras clave:

mercury, hair, children, artisanal gold mining, Tocantins

Resumen

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.

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Biografía del autor/a

Seyna Ueno Rabelo Mendes, Universidade Federal do Tocantins

Coordenação de Medicina
Medical Doctor
Marina Beatriz Agostini Vasconcellos, IPEN-CNEN/SP

Research Reactor Center
Researcher
Marilia Gabriela Miranda Catharino, IPEN-CNEN/SP

Research Reactor Center
Researcher
Gilson Alves Quinaglia, CETESB

Head of the Toxicological Analysis Section
Barbara Held, CETESB

Chemist,Toxicological Analysis Section

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