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Vulnerability associated with “symptoms similar to those of mercury poisoning” in communities from Xingu River, Amazon basin

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Abstract

The Brazilian Amazon is known to be a region with high levels of mercury (Hg) in the environment and studies point to an association between high levels of natural mercury in the mother rock and the vast number of clandestine gold mines. Other studies already report the contamination of fish in this region, as well as high levels of Hg in biological material from environmentally exposed populations. On the other hand, this is one of the least developed regions of the planet and it is necessary to understand the vulnerability factors in these populations that may be intoxicated by this element. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the vulnerability factors in communities from Xingu River—Amazon basin probably exposed to Hg. A cross-selection study in two cities localized in Xingu River was conducted, and the sample contained was 268 individuals. sociodemographic questions, lifestyle, diet habits and health conditions were collated. The majority of the sample was female, between 30 and 59 years old, had less than 3 years of educational level and lived in the local of study more than 240 months. There was regular fish consumption (95.9%), principally carnivorous species (80.5%). The visual problem has a highest prevalence (43.3%) between the health problems and about the symptoms of Hg intoxication, memory loss (42.9%), weakness (35.1%), fatigue (34.3%), mood changes (28.7%) and difficulties in concentration (27.2%) was most reported. The female sex, age over 60, educational level below 3 years of study, did not had flush toilet, smoke and least one chronic non-communicable disease represent higher probability to had symptoms of Hg intoxication. Lack of access to health services, low education level and income evidence the susceptibility of this community to diseases and injuries. The vulnerable groups identified in this study should be a priority in public health and environmental health policies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Av. Itália km 8 Bairro Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, 96203-900, Brazil

    Flávio Mnaoel Rodrigues Da Silva-Junior, Ritta M. Oleinski, Marina Dos Santos, Tatiane Britto Da Silveira & Maria Cristina Flores Soares

  2. Programa de Pós graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande – FURG, Campus Saúde: Rua Visconde de Paranaguá 102, Rio Grande, RS, 96203-900, Brazil

    Flávio Mnaoel Rodrigues Da Silva-Junior, Marina Dos Santos, Tatiane Britto Da Silveira, Adrianne Maria Netto De Oliveira & Maria Cristina Flores Soares

  3. Laboratório de Ecologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Coronel José Porfirio, 2515, Altamira, PA, 68372-040, Brazil

    Antonia E. S. Azevedo, Kátia C. M. C. Monroe & Tatiana Da Silva Pereira

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  1. Flávio Mnaoel Rodrigues Da Silva-Junior
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  2. Ritta M. Oleinski
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Correspondence to Flávio Mnaoel Rodrigues Da Silva-Junior.

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Da Silva-Junior, F.M.R., Oleinski, R.M., Azevedo, A.E.S. et al. Vulnerability associated with “symptoms similar to those of mercury poisoning” in communities from Xingu River, Amazon basin. Environ Geochem Health 40, 1145–1154 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-017-9993-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-017-9993-7

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