Aspectos epidemiológicos da exposição ao mercúrio na região do Tapajós, no período de 1994 a 2008

Abstract

Exposure to mercury has been studied in areas under the influence of gold mining, however, in some aspects epidemiological studies are still lacking. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the intensity and prevalence of exposure to mercury in riverside communities in the Tapajós from 1994 to 2008. This study was conducted in two communities near the headwaters of the Tapajós river through the analysis of total mercury in hair sample measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the Laboratory of Human Toxicology and Environmental of the Pará University Institute. The results indicated communities with a high frequency of women of reproductive age, the most people have a long local residence time and diet was characterized by high intake of fish meals. The time of exposure to mercury has been occurring for at least 14 years. Thee presented mercury levels that are hazards to health of mother-child group. There wasn´t difference in the exposure intensity between the two communities. The prevalence of exposure to mercury (Hg total people with levels> 10μg/g) was high in both communities that recorded levels exceeded 50%. There was no correlation between gold production and total Hg levels in hair samples. We concluded that levels of mercury exposure presented during the study period featuring a long-term exposure which are able to offer health risks, especially maternal-fetal; that the frequency increased ingestion of contaminated fish can contribute to the onset of damage by mercury. Toxicological and clinical monitoring of individuals exposed, as well as implementation of educational measures should be strengthened in order to prevent disease caused by mercury.