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Evaluation of mercury levels in hair of children resident in artisanal gold mining area in the city of Chapada de Natividade-Tocantins
Autor
MENDES, SEYNA U.R.
VASCONCELLOS, MARINA B.A.
CATHARINO, MARILIA G.M.
QUINAGLIA, GILSON A.
HELD, BARBARA
INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
Resumen
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 or
gender.