Edilson da Silva Brabo

Evaluation of total mercury concentrations in fish consumed in the municipality of Itaituba, Tapajós River Basin, Pará, Brazil.

The environmental exposure to mercury by riverine and Indian communities can occur through the ingestion of fish and products contaminated by mercury compounds. The present study aims to evaluate the total mercury concentration in the different fish species most consumed in the municipality of Itaituba, Tapajós river basin, where there are intense gold-mining activities. These fish samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry by cold vapor technique, Automatic Mercury Analyzer HG-3500. The largest mercury concentrations were found in the carnivorous species ranging from 112.4 to 2250 microg/g, while the detritivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous species presented total mercury levels ranging from 3.2 to 309.8 microg/g, which is below the limit established by the World Health Organization. This paper also reports and identifies which species are more polluted and present a statistical relationship among concentration and weight of the carnivorous species studied in detail, Brachyplatystoma flavicans (dourada) (r2 = 0.691) and Pseudoplatystoma sp. (surubim) (r2 = 0.654).

Correlation between mercury and selenium concentrations in Indian hair from Rondônia State, Amazon region, Brazil

Total mercury and selenium concentrations were determined in hair samples collected from Wari (Pacaás Novos) Indians living in Doutor Tanajura village, Gujará-Mirim city, Rondĵnia State. The mercury concentrations in some samples are much higher than the values determined in samples from individuals not exposed to mercury contamination, occupationally or environmentally. The selenium concentrations are in the normal range. A correlation was observed between the mercury and selenium concentration and the values of the molar ratio approach 1 at low Hg concentrations. This fact is related to the equimolar complex formed by [(Hg-Se)n]m-Seleprotein P, which can decrease the bioavailable mercury in the organism.

Diagnóstico das condições de saúde de uma comunidade garimpeira na região do Rio Tapajós, Itaituba, Pará, Brasil, 1992

O objetivo do trabalho foi conhecer as condicoes de vida e de saude de uma comunidade garimpeira e, particularmente, a superposicao da contaminacao Mercurial com outros agravos. Foi realizada no garimpo do igarape do Rato, na bacia hidrografica do rio Tapajos, Itaituba-Para. A populacao abrangeu 223 individuos aos quais foi aplicado um questionario epidemiologico, e feito atendimento medico e coleta de especimes biologicos. Na coproscopia, 96,1% individuos estavam parasitados e 66,4% anemicos. A prevalencia para o virus da hepatite B ficou em 85,0%; 11 (6,0%) eram portadores do virus. Dentre os pacientes investigados para malaria, 35,0% (65) estavam com a doenca e desses 52,3% (34) eram pacientes assintomaticos. A prevalencia para sifilis foi de 41.6%. As dosagens de mercurio em urina de 173 individuos revelaram 16 (9,2%) pacientes com dosagens maiores do que 10 ug/l e ate 19 ug/l, enquanto que 9 pacientes (5,2%) do total investigado revelaram teores acima de 20 ug/l. O estudo revela individuos com superposicao de agravos, sem diagnostico adequado por falta de atendimento medico, praticando a automedicacao, e, agora, vivendo a ameaca da intoxicacao por mercurio. Concluindo, o presente trabalho ofereceu apenas uma visao geral das condicoes de saude encontradas na comunidade garimpeira estudada. Impossivel, sob pena de alongar demasiadamente o artigo, detalhar todos os diversos aspectos que foram pesquisados, e que serao objeto de publicacoes futuras. Entretanto, essa visao geral atinge a finalidade de por em evidencia a multicausalidade encontrada quando se precisa avaliar as condicoes de saude na regiao amazonica, e que deve ser levada em consideracao por ocasiao do atendimento clinico e da administracao terapeutica.

Correlation between blood mercury levels in mothers and newborns in Itaituba, Pará State, Brazil

This study evaluated transplacental mercury transfer by measuring Hg in blood samples of mothers and newborns (umbilical cord) in hospitals in the municipality (county) of Itaituba, Pará State, Brazil. Epidemiological and mercury exposure data were collected, besides clinical birth data. Mercury tests were performed by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A total of 1,510 women and an equal number of their newborns participated in the study. Mean blood mercury was 11.53 microg/L in mothers and 16.68 microg/L in newborns (umbilical cord). The highest Hg levels were in the 31-40-year maternal age group and their newborns, with 14.37 microg/L and 21.87 microg/L, respectively. However, in all age groups the mean mercury level was higher in newborns than in mothers. There was a strong positive correlation between Hg levels in newborns and mothers (r = 0.8019; p = 0.000), with a significant linear regression model (r = 0.5283; p = 0.000). The results highlight the importance of monitoring pregnant women exposed to mercury as part of public health surveillance.

Exposição ao mercúrio e ao arsênio em Estados da Amazônia: síntese dos estudos do Instituto Evandro Chagas/ FUNASA

Este artigo e uma revisao das pesquisas da Secao de Meio Ambiente do Instituto Evandro Chagas/FUNASA sobre exposicao ao mercurio (Hg) no vale do rio Tapajos e Estado do Acre, e exposicao ao arsenio (As) atraves de residuos da exploracao de manganes (Mn) realizada pela ICOMI deixados no Porto de Santana-AP. Em relacao ao mercurio, tem sido pesquisadas populacoes sob risco atraves da via respiratoria ou alimentar. No primeiro caso, os trabalhadores de casas de compra e venda de ouro tem apresentado teores mais elevados de Hg em urina do que os garimpeiros estudados. No segundo caso, as populacoes ribeirinhas tem mostrado niveis diferenciados de exposicao (Hg em cabelo). Comunidades ribeirinhas situadas em areas nao afetadas pelo mercurio da garimpagem e com habitos alimentares semelhantes as de area de risco tem sido avaliadas, visando a construcao de parâmetros de normalidade regional. Sao tambem pesquisados os teores de Hg em materiais ambientais e na biota aquatica. Os estudos de saude humana e ambiente na cidade de Santana-AP objetivaram avaliar as fontes e possiveis vias de exposicao da populacao da comunidade do Elesbao ao arsenio. Verificou-se a existencia de fonte de risco atraves dos rejeitos de Mn, porem os niveis de As na agua consumida pela populacao mostraram-se dentro dos parâmetros de normalidade. As medias encontradas em sangue e cabelo coincidem com medias de normalidade referidas na literatura, em populacoes nao expostas, e as associacoes entre variaveis epidemiologicas, avaliacao clinico-laboratorial e os teores de arsenio nao mostraram significância estatistica.

Avaliação da concentração de mercúrio em sedimentos e material particulado no rio Acre, estado do Acre, Brasil

Mercury levels assessment in aquatic systems areas without influences of antropogenic sources have not been well studied in the Amazon region. For the identification of the origin of high values of Hg in fish consumed by population of Rio Branco City - AC, the Evandro Chagas Institute - IEC, studied the mercury levels in sediments, suspended solids and studied also the physical-chemical characterization of waters, in the Acre river and also some in afluents, between Brasileia and Assis Brasil cities. Bottom sediments samples were sieved to <250 mesh fraction after drying. The suspended solid was obtained by precipitation with Al2SO4. About 250 mg of the material was submitted the acid digestion and the determinations of Hg were made by Could Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The physical-chemical parameters pH, electric conductivity, temperature and dissolved total solids, were studied in the field, by potenciometric methods. The Hg levels in bottom sediments range 0,018 and 0,184 mg g-1, mean of 0,054 ± 0,034 mg g-1, while the suspended solids varied between 0,067 and 0,220 mg g-1, average of 0,098 ± 0,037 mg g-1. The waters were slightly acid with pH varying among 5,80 - 6,95 and conductivity electric 151,60 - 1.151,00 mS cm-1. The mercury levels in the analyzed materials was below of standard levels for the non-polluted Amazon rivers. However complementary studies should be developed to elucidate the origin and the processes of mercury biodisponibility.

Níveis de mercúrio em peixes consumidos pela comunidade indígena de Sai Cinza na Reserva Munduruku, Município de Jacareacanga, Estado do Pará, Brasil

O estudo consiste em avaliar os niveis de mercurio no pescado consumido pela comunidade indigena de Sai Cinza (Reserva Munduruku) no Estado do Para, e associa-los com os habitos de consumo da populacao. Um total de oitenta especimes de peixes foram capturados. As determinacoes de Hg foram realizadas por absorcao atomica. A concentracao media de Hg nas especies carnivoras foi de 0,293 µg/g (DP = 0,104) enquanto nas nao carnivoras foi de 0,112 µg/g (DP = 0,036). As especies referidas como de maior consumo ente os 330 individuos entrevistados foram: tucunare, pacu, jaraqui, traira, aracu, matrincha e caratinga. As especies com concentracoes mais elevadas de Hg foram tucunare e traira, que estao entre os peixes mais consumidos. A frequencia de consumo constitui-se num fator importante na avaliacao de risco de contaminacao por mercurio em comunidades que nao tem outras alternativas de alimentacao.

Avaliação dos níveis de exposição ao mercúrio entre índios Pakaanóva, Amazônia, Brasil

Um estudo seccional foi realizado para avaliar os niveis de exposicao ao mercurio (Hg) entre 910 indios Pakaanova, residentes nos municipios de Guajara Mirim e Nova Marmore no Estado de Rondonia, Brasil. Amostras de cabelo da regiao occipital foram coletadas de cada participante do estudo e os teores de Hg determinados por Espectrofotometria de Absorcao Atomica com Geracao de Vapor Frio. Os teores medios de Hg nas amostras de cabelo foram de 8,37µg/g (0,52-83,89µg/g), indicando exposicao elevada. Criancas de ate 2 anos e entre 3 e 5 anos de idade apresentaram medias de 10,54µg/g e 9,34µg/g, respectivamente. Os teores medios de Hg nas mulheres (8,91µg/g ) sao mais elevados do que os valores observados nos homens (7,55µg/g), sendo esta diferenca estatisticamente significante (t = 3,26; p < 0,01). Estes resultados indicam a necessidade de desenvolvimento de programas de vigilância e estudos complementares envolvendo os indios Pakaanova no Estado de Rondonia.A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate mercury (Hg) exposure among 910 Pakaanova Indians from the counties of Guajara Mirim and Nova Marmore, Rondonia State, Brazil. Individual hair samples were taken from the occipital region, and Hg was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry with cold vapor generation. Mean Hg in hair samples was 8.37 µg/g (range 0.52-83.89), indicating high exposure. Young children (< 2 years old) showed a mean Hg of 10.54 µg/g, and children from 3 to 5 years old had a mean Hg of 9.34µg/g. Mercury levels in women (8,91µg/g) were higher than in men (7.55µg/g), and this difference was significant (t = 3.26; p < 0.01). These results indicate the need for surveillance programs and complementary studies including the Pakaanova Indians in Rondonia State.

Determination of total mercury in workers’ urine in gold shops of Itaituba, Pará State, Brazil

Gold extraction and its commercialization in the Amazon region is mainly by rudimentary procedures. Therefore, during the process of extraction and recovery of this precious metal, large amounts of mercury vapors are thrown into the environment. This paper is an attempt to establish a correlation between the concentration of total mercury in the urine of workers at the gold shop in the Municipality of Itaituba, Pará, and the information related to the lifestyles of each individual studied. Through statistical analysis, it was possible to divide the workers into three groups: people with normal mercury concentrations, [Hg] < or = 10 ppb, (29%); with concentrations at the biological limit of tolerance, [Hg] up to 50 ppb, (49%); and contaminated people, [Hg] > or = 50 ppb (22%). It may be concluded that fish consumption, time of alcohol consumption, number of amalgam fillings, as well as working hours, are important variables when evaluating mercurial contamination of people who are occupationally exposed to mercury vapors.

Estudo quantitativo de metais presentes na hemolinfa de Biomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda), infectadas e não infectadas com Schistosoma mansoni

We conducted a preliminary study to quantify and compare two concentrations of the same metals present in the hemolymph of snail Biomphalaria glabrata. In this context, we used Induction Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy technique (ICP-OES), to analyze the metals in the two samples (snails infected and not infected with Schistosoma mansoni). The metals studied were: aluminum, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, lead and zinc. Preliminary results showed that such metals are not involved in the defense of these organisms against the parasite, when present in their tissues.