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Kato RT, Rolim-de-Moura C, Allemann N. Chromatic vision and structural assessment in primary congenital glaucoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9551. [PMID: 38664551 PMCID: PMC11045788 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary congenital glaucoma is a rare disease that occurs in early birth and can lead to low vision. Evaluating affected children is challenging and there is a lack of studies regarding color vision in pediatric glaucoma patients. This cross-sectional study included 21 eyes of 13 children with primary congenital glaucoma who were assessed using the Farnsworth D-15 test to evaluate color vision discrimination and by spectral domain optical coherence tomography to measure retinal fiber layer thickness. Age, visual acuity, cup-to-disc ratio and spherical equivalent data were also collected. Global and sectional circumpapillary and macular retinal fiber layer thicknesses were measured and compared based on color vision test performance. Four eyes (19%) failed the color vision test with diffuse dyschromatopsia patterns. Only age showed statistical significance in color vision test performance. Global and sectional circumpapillary and macular retinal fiber layer thicknesses were similar between the color test outcomes dyschromatopsia and normal. While the color vision test could play a role in assessing children with primary congenital glaucoma, further studies are needed to correlate it with damage to retinal fiber layer thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Tiemi Kato
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu, 806 - Secretaria Administrativa, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04023-062, Brazil.
| | - Christiane Rolim-de-Moura
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu, 806 - Secretaria Administrativa, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Norma Allemann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu, 806 - Secretaria Administrativa, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04023-062, Brazil
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2
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de Castro Moita MD, da Silva Júnior FMR, da Silva Pereira T, Marinho RB, Vitorio EO, Pellegrino ÉFC, da Conceição Nascimento Pinheiro M, Santos OS. Mercury exposure in riverine populations of Terra do Meio Extractive Reserves in the Xingu basin, Amazon, Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:88. [PMID: 38367142 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01853-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Amazon is a hotspot for mercury (Hg) contamination and Terra do Meio region, despite its protected status for sustainable use, has never been monitored for this element. Looking to address this gap, this study aimed to quantify capillary Hg concentration in riverine populations of Terra do Meio (Xingu Basin, Central Amazon, Brazil) and associated factors with high Hg levels (90 percentile). Hair samples from 182 individuals from Iriri, Riozinho do Anfrísio and Xingu Extractive Reserves (RESEX), aged between 18 and 70 years old, were collected to measure total mercury levels (HgT), and socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical-epidemiological data were annotated. Overall, high levels of Hg were observed (mean 4.985 µg/g, median 3.531 µg/g) with significant differences between localities. Among the factors related to high capillary Hg levels, male gender, smoking habit, work in agriculture, livestock or extractivism, and residence in Iriri and Riozinho do Anfrísio RESEX were highlighted. A high prevalence of symptoms related to Hg intoxication, including anxiety, memory deficit, and lower limb problems, was observed. Overall, the results reveal that communities in these RESEXs are exposed to Hg and appear to be suffering from chronic health effects. Considering the increased anthropogenic alterations observed recently in the Amazon region and the subsequent amplified environmental bioavailability of Hg, further studies and mitigating actions are critical. This includes better surveillance of illegal anthropic activities and provision of ongoing education on this matter and incentives for dietary adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tatiana da Silva Pereira
- Universidade Federal do Pará - Campus Altamira, Rua Coronel José Porfírio, 2515, Altamira, PA, CEP: 68372-040, Brazil
| | - Renatta Barbosa Marinho
- Universidade Federal do Pará - Campus Altamira, Rua Coronel José Porfírio, 2515, Altamira, PA, CEP: 68372-040, Brazil
| | - Emanuely Oliveira Vitorio
- Universidade Federal do Pará - Campus Altamira, Rua Coronel José Porfírio, 2515, Altamira, PA, CEP: 68372-040, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ozélia Sousa Santos
- Universidade Federal do Pará - Campus Altamira, Rua Coronel José Porfírio, 2515, Altamira, PA, CEP: 68372-040, Brazil.
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Nakamura M, Tatsuta N, Murata K, Nakai K, Iwata T, Otobe T, Sakamoto M, Yamamoto M, Itatani M, Miura Y, Koriyama C. Neurodevelopmental associations of prenatal and postnatal methylmercury exposure among first-grade children in the Kinan region, Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 235:116688. [PMID: 37467938 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The most severe effects of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure during child development are thought to result from exposure during fetal life and childhood. However, comparing the neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal and postnatal MeHg exposure (PreMeHg and PostMeHg, respectively) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations between neurodevelopmental indicators and PreMeHg or PostMeHg. The participants were 134 children in the first grade of elementary schools aged 7-8 years from the Kinan region, an area with high consumption of MeHg-rich whales and tunas in Japan. We measured MeHg levels in preserved umbilical cord tissues and total mercury (T-Hg) levels in children's hair to estimate PreMeHg and PostMeHg levels, respectively. Neuropsychological (intelligence quotient testing and Boston Naming Test) and neurophysiological (brainstem auditory evoked potential [BAEP], visual evoked potential [VEP], and color vision tests) studies were performed to evaluate the neurodevelopmental status. Multiple regression analyses were conducted according to sex. The geometric mean MeHg levels in preserved umbilical cord tissues and T-Hg levels in children's hair were 0.11 μg/g and 2.94 μg/g, respectively. Neither PreMeHg nor PostMeHg was related to neuropsychological indicators. Some associations between MeHg exposure and neurophysiological results were observed only in boys. N145 latency in VEPs was significantly prolonged with increasing PreMeHg (β: 12.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.648, 23.38). The III-V interpeak intervals in BAEP were significantly prolonged with increasing PreMeHg or PostMeHg (β [95% CI]: 0.142 [0.041, 0.243] and 0.159 [0.052, 0.265], respectively). After adjusting for PreMeHg, the association between PostMeHg and BAEP latencies disappeared. In conclusion, the latency in the auditory and visual pathways was significantly prolonged with increasing PreMeHg in boys. These findings suggest that male fetuses may be more susceptible to MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Nakamura
- Department of Clinical Medicine, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata City, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Tatsuta
- Development and Environmental Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai City, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Katsuyuki Murata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Hondo, Akita City, Akita, 010-8543, Japan.
| | - Kunihiko Nakai
- Development and Environmental Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai City, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Toyoto Iwata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Hondo, Akita City, Akita, 010-8543, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Otobe
- Department of Child Education, Jin-ai University, Echizen City, Fukui, 910-0124, Japan.
| | - Mineshi Sakamoto
- Department of Environment and Public Health, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata City, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Megumi Yamamoto
- Department of Environment and Public Health, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata City, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Mina Itatani
- Department of Clinical Medicine, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata City, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Yoko Miura
- Department of Clinical Medicine, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata City, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan.
| | - Chihaya Koriyama
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan.
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Ruiz R, Estevan C, Estévez J, Alcaide C, Sogorb MA, Vilanova E. Reference Values on Children's Hair for 28 Elements (Heavy Metals and Essential Elements) Based on a Pilot Study in a Representative Non-Contaminated Local Area. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098127. [PMID: 37175834 PMCID: PMC10179086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have been published, and laboratories offer services of measuring elements in hair as biomarkers of environmental exposure and/or control of essential elements (trace or macro). These reported values can have only sense if compared with adopted reference values. In this work, we propose provisional reference values based on a pilot child population. The concentrations of 28 elements were measured in children's hair samples. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a typical child population in the Mediterranean region void of excessive pollution problems to analyze 419 hair samples of children aged 3-12 years. Children were selected by a simple random method from eight primary education schools in different municipal districts, which included urban, rural and industrial areas. Samples of around 100 mg were washed and acid digested by an optimized procedure. All measures were performed using ICP-MS with Sc, Y and Re as internal standards. The statistical analysis was performed by two approaches: (a) considering all the data and (b) without outliers (second-order atypical data) to compare them with other published studies. The distribution curves in all the elements studied were asymmetric and did not fit the theoretical normality distributions. Therefore, the analysis based on percentiles was more appropriate. In most elements, only slight differences were observed with sex or age, which did not justify proposing separate reference ranges. From the results of this study, provisional reference values are proposed following two criteria: (a) simple application of the table of percentiles built by removing outlier values and (b) values after a detailed analysis case-by-case, considering other data as the distribution profile and other published data of each element. Although the pilot sample was from a limited area, it was carefully selected to be representative of a general non-contaminated population. With this limitation, the proposed reference values might be useful for researchers and physicians until a wider geographical study is available for a large number of elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ruiz
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Carmen Estevan
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Jorge Estévez
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Carolina Alcaide
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Miguel A Sogorb
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Eugenio Vilanova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
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de los Santos C, Pastor JC, Calonge M. Mercury intoxication and ophthalmic involvement: An update review. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1148357. [PMID: 37063600 PMCID: PMC10102333 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1148357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human intoxication after mercury exposure is a rare condition that can cause severe damage to the central nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, skin, and visual systems and represents a major public health concern. Ophthalmic involvement includes impaired function of the extraocular muscles and the eyelids, as well as structural changes in the ocular surface, lens, retina, and optic nerve causing a potential irreversible damage to the visual system. Although, there are many pathways for poisoning depending on the mercury form, it has been suggested that tissue distribution does not differ in experimental animals when administered as mercury vapor, organic mercury, or inorganic mercury. Additionally, visual function alterations regarding central visual acuity, color discrimination, contrast sensitivity, visual field and electroretinogram responses have also been described widely. Nevertheless, there is still controversy about whether visual manifestations occur secondary to brain damage or as a direct affectation, and which ocular structure is primarily affected. Despite the use of some imaging techniques such as in vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina and optic nerve, and functional tests such as electroretinography has helped to solve in part this debate, further studies incorporating other imaging modalities such as autofluorescence, OCT angiography or adaptive optics retinal imaging are needed. This review aims to summarize the published structural and functional alterations found in the visual system of patients suffering from mercury intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian de los Santos
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Cristian de los Santos,
| | - J. Carlos Pastor
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro en Red de Medicina Regenerativa y Terapia Celular. Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Margarita Calonge
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro en Red de Medicina Regenerativa y Terapia Celular. Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain
- CIBER-BBN, Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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Tousignant B, Chatillon A, Philibert A, Da Silva J, Fillion M, Mergler D. Visual Characteristics of Adults with Long-Standing History of Dietary Exposure to Mercury in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4827. [PMID: 36981736 PMCID: PMC10049103 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the 1960s, Grassy Narrows First Nation (Ontario, Canada) has been exposed to methyl mercury (Hg) through fish consumption, resulting from industrial pollution of their territorial waters. This cross-sectional study describes the visual characteristics of adults with documented Hg exposure between 1970 and 1997. Oculo-visual examinations of 80 community members included visual acuity, automated visual fields, optical coherence tomography [OCT], color vision and contrast sensitivity. Median age was 57 years (IQR 51-63) and 55% of participants were women. Median visual acuity was 0.1 logMAR (Snellen 6/6.4; IQR 0-0.2). A total of 26% of participants presented a Visual Field Index inferior to 62%, and qualitative losses assessment showed concentric constriction (18%), end-stage concentric loss (18%), and complex defects (24%). On OCT, retinal nerve fiber layer scans showed 74% of participants within normal/green range. For color testing with the Hardy, Rand, and Rittler test, 40% presented at least one type of color defect, and with the Lanthony D-15 test, median color confusion index was 1.59 (IQR 1.33-1.96). Contrast sensitivity showed moderate loss for 83% of participants. These findings demonstrate important loss of visual field, color vision, and contrast sensitivity in older adults in a context of long-term exposure to Hg in Grassy Narrows First Nation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Tousignant
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, 3744 Jean-Brillant, Montreal, QC H3T 1P1, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Annie Chatillon
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, 3744 Jean-Brillant, Montreal, QC H3T 1P1, Canada
| | - Aline Philibert
- Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur le Bien-être, la Santé, la Société et L’environnement (Cinbiose), Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Judy Da Silva
- Grassy Narrows First Nation, General Delivery, Grassy Narrows, ON P0X 1B0, Canada
| | - Myriam Fillion
- Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur le Bien-être, la Santé, la Société et L’environnement (Cinbiose), Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TÉLUQ, 5800, Rue Saint-Denis, Bureau 1105, Montréal, QC H2S 3L5, Canada
| | - Donna Mergler
- Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur le Bien-être, la Santé, la Société et L’environnement (Cinbiose), Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
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de Oliveira RAA, Pinto BD, Rebouças BH, Ciampi de Andrade D, de Vasconcellos ACS, Basta PC. Neurological Impacts of Chronic Methylmercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Adults: Somatosensory, Motor, and Cognitive Abnormalities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910270. [PMID: 34639574 PMCID: PMC8507861 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There has been increasing evidence about mercury (Hg) contamination in traditional populations from the Amazon Basin due to illegal gold mining. The most concerning health impact is neurotoxicity caused by Hg in its organic form: methylmercury (MeHg). However, the severity and extent of the neurotoxic effects resulting from chronic environmental exposure to MeHg are still unclear. We conducted a clinical-epidemiological study to evaluate the neurological impacts of chronic MeHg exposure in Munduruku indigenous people, focusing on somatosensory, motor, and cognitive abnormalities. All participants were subjected to a systemized neurological exam protocol, including Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB), verbal fluency test, and Stick Design Test. After the examination, hair samples were collected to determine MeHg levels. Data collection took place between 29 October and 9 November 2019, in three villages (Sawré Muybu, Poxo Muybu, and Sawré Aboy) from Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land, Southwest of Pará state. One hundred and ten individuals >12 years old were included, 58 of which were men (52.7%), with an average age of 27.6 years (range from 12 to 72). Participants’ median MeHg level was 7.4 µg/g (average: 8.7; S.D: 4.5; range: 2.0–22.8). In Sawré Aboy village, the median MeHg level was higher (12.5 µg/g) than in the others, showing a significant statistical exposure gradient (Kruskal–Wallis test with p-value < 0.001). Cerebellar ataxia was observed in two participants with MeHg levels of 11.68 and 15.68 µg/g. Individuals with MeHg exposure level ≥10 µg/g presented around two-fold higher chances of cognitive deficits (RP: 2.2; CI 95%: 1.13–4.26) in BCSB, and in the verbal fluency test (RP: 2.0; CI 95%: 1.18–3.35). Furthermore, adolescents of 12 to 19 years presented three-fold higher chances of verbal development deficits, according to the fluency test (RP: 3.2; CI 95%: 1.06–9.42), than individuals of 20 to 24 years. The worsened motor and cognitive functions are suggestive of neurotoxicity due to chronic MeHg exposure. In conclusion, we believe monitoring and follow-up measures are necessary for chronic mercury exposed vulnerable people, and a basic care protocol should be established for contaminated people in the Brazilian Unified Health System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogério Adas Ayres de Oliveira
- Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (R.A.A.d.O.); (B.D.P.); (B.H.R.); (D.C.d.A.)
| | - Bruna Duarte Pinto
- Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (R.A.A.d.O.); (B.D.P.); (B.H.R.); (D.C.d.A.)
| | - Bruno Hojo Rebouças
- Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (R.A.A.d.O.); (B.D.P.); (B.H.R.); (D.C.d.A.)
| | - Daniel Ciampi de Andrade
- Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (R.A.A.d.O.); (B.D.P.); (B.H.R.); (D.C.d.A.)
| | - Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratório de Educação Profissional em Vigilância em Saúde, Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venâncio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (EPSJV/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Paulo Cesar Basta
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2598-2503
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Kempton JW, Périssé ARS, Hofer CB, de Vasconcellos ACS, de Sousa Viana PV, de Oliveira Lima M, de Jesus IM, de Souza Hacon S, Basta PC. An Assessment of Health Outcomes and Methylmercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Women of Childbearing Age and Their Children under 2 Years Old. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10091. [PMID: 34639393 PMCID: PMC8508331 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In line with the 1000-day initiative and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 and 3, we present a cross-sectional analysis of maternal health, infant nutrition, and methylmercury exposure within hard-to-reach indigenous communities in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. We collected data from all women of childbearing age (i.e., 12-49) and their infants under two years old in three Munduruku communities (Sawré Muybu, Sawré Aboy, and Poxo Muybu) along the Tapajos River. We explored health outcomes through interviews, vaccine coverage and clinical assessment, and determined baseline hair methylmercury (H-Hg) levels. Hemoglobin, infant growth (Anthropometric Z scores) and neurodevelopment tests results were collected. We found that 62% of women of childbearing age exceeded the reference limit of 6.0 μg/g H-Hg (median = 7.115, IQR = 4.678), with the worst affected community (Sawré Aboy) registering an average H-Hg concentration of 12.67 μg/g. Half of infants aged under 24 months presented with anemia. Three of 16 (18.8%) infants presented H-Hg levels above 6.0 µg/g (median: 3.88; IQR = 3.05). Four of the 16 infants were found to be stunted and 38% of women overweight, evidencing possible nutritional transition. No infant presented with appropriate vaccination coverage for their age. These communities presented with an estimated Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 86.7/1000 live births. The highest H-Hg level (19.6 µg/g) was recorded in an 11-month-old girl who was found to have gross motor delay and anemia. This already vulnerable indigenous Munduruku community presents with undernutrition and a high prevalence of chronic methylmercury exposure in women of childbearing age. This dual public health crisis in the context of wider health inequalities has the potential to compromise the development, health and survival of the developing fetus and infant in the first two critical years of life. We encourage culturally sensitive intervention and further research to focus efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Reynaldo Santos Périssé
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil; (A.R.S.P.); (S.d.S.H.)
| | - Cristina Barroso Hofer
- Instituto de Pediatria e Puericultura Martagão Gesteira, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rua Bruno Lobo, 50, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-912, Brazil;
| | - Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratório de Educação Profissional em Vigilância em Saúde, Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venân-cio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (EPSJV/Fiocruz), Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Paulo Victor de Sousa Viana
- Centro de Referência Professor Hélio Fraga, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (CRPHF/ENSP/Fiocruz), Estrada de Curicica, 2000, Curicica, Rio de Janeiro 22780-195, Brazil;
| | - Marcelo de Oliveira Lima
- Seção de Meio Ambiente, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde (SEAMB/IEC/SVS/MS), Rodovia BR-316 km 7 s/n, Levilândia 67030-000, Brazil; (M.d.O.L.); (I.M.d.J.)
| | - Iracina Maura de Jesus
- Seção de Meio Ambiente, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde (SEAMB/IEC/SVS/MS), Rodovia BR-316 km 7 s/n, Levilândia 67030-000, Brazil; (M.d.O.L.); (I.M.d.J.)
| | - Sandra de Souza Hacon
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil; (A.R.S.P.); (S.d.S.H.)
| | - Paulo Cesar Basta
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil; (A.R.S.P.); (S.d.S.H.)
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Basta PC, Viana PVDS, de Vasconcellos ACS, Périssé ARS, Hofer CB, Paiva NS, Kempton JW, Ciampi de Andrade D, de Oliveira RAA, Achatz RW, Perini JA, Meneses HDNDM, Hallwass G, Lima MDO, de Jesus IM, dos Santos CCR, Hacon SDS. Mercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Communities from Brazilian Amazon: Methodological Background and an Overview of the Principal Results. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9222. [PMID: 34501811 PMCID: PMC8430525 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Amazonian indigenous peoples depend on natural resources to live, but human activities' growing impacts threaten their health and livelihoods. Our objectives were to present the principal results of an integrated and multidisciplinary analysis of the health parameters and assess the mercury (Hg) exposure levels in indigenous populations in the Brazilian Amazon. We carried out a cross-sectional study based on a census of three Munduruku indigenous villages (Sawré Muybu, Poxo Muybu, and Sawré Aboy), located in the Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land, between 29 October and 9 November 2019. The investigation included: (i) sociodemographic characterization of the participants; (ii) health assessment; (iii) genetic polymorphism analysis; (iv) hair mercury determination; and (v) fish mercury determination. We used the logistic regression model with conditional Prevalence Ratio (PR), with the respective 95% confidence intervals (CI95%) to explore factors associated with mercury exposure levels ≥6.0 µg/g. A total of 200 participants were interviewed. Mercury levels (197 hair samples) ranged from 1.4 to 23.9 μg/g, with significant differences between the villages (Kruskal-Wallis test: 19.9; p-value < 0.001). On average, the general prevalence of Hg exposure ≥ 6.0 µg/g was 57.9%. For participants ≥12 years old, the Hg exposure ≥6.0 µg/g showed associated with no regular income (PR: 1.3; CI95%: 1.0-1.8), high blood pressure (PR: 1.6; CI95%: 1.3-2.1) and was more prominent in Sawré Aboy village (PR: 1.8; CI95%: 1.3-2.3). For women of childbearing age, the Hg exposure ≥6.0 µg/g was associated with high blood pressure (PR: 1.9; CI95%: 1.2-2.3), with pregnancy (PR: 1.5; CI95%: 1.0-2.1) and was more prominent among residents in Poxo Muybu (PR: 1.9; CI95%: 1.0-3.4) and Sawré Aboy (PR: 2.5; CI95%: 1.4-4.4) villages. Our findings suggest that chronic mercury exposure causes harmful effects to the studied indigenous communities, especially considering vulnerable groups of the population, such as women of childbearing age. Lastly, we propose to stop the illegal mining in these areas and develop a risk management plan that aims to ensure the health, livelihoods, and human rights of the indigenous people from Amazon Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Cesar Basta
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil; (A.R.S.P.); (S.d.S.H.)
| | - Paulo Victor de Sousa Viana
- Centro de Referência Professor Hélio Fraga, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (CRPHF/ENSP/Fiocruz), Estrada de Curicica, 2000-Curicica, Rio de Janeiro 22780-195, Brazil;
| | - Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratório de Educação Profissional em Vigilância em Saúde, Escola Politécnica de Saúde Joaquim Venâncio, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (EPSJV/Fiocruz), Av. Brazil, 4365-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - André Reynaldo Santos Périssé
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil; (A.R.S.P.); (S.d.S.H.)
| | - Cristina Barroso Hofer
- Instituto de Pediatria e Puericultura Martagão Gesteira, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rua Bruno Lobo, 50-Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-912, Brazil;
| | - Natalia Santana Paiva
- Instituto de Estudos em Saúde Coletiva (IESC), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo, s/n, Ilha do Fundão-Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, Brazil;
| | - Joseph William Kempton
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Medical School Building, St Mary’s Hospital, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK;
| | - Daniel Ciampi de Andrade
- Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Dr. Enéas Carvalho de Aguiar, 255-Cerqueira César, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (D.C.d.A.); (R.A.A.d.O.)
| | - Rogério Adas Ayres de Oliveira
- Centro de Dor, Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Dr. Enéas Carvalho de Aguiar, 255-Cerqueira César, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; (D.C.d.A.); (R.A.A.d.O.)
| | - Rafaela Waddington Achatz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Clínica do Instituto de Psicologia da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721-Butantã, São Paulo 05508-030, Brazil;
| | - Jamila Alessandra Perini
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Ciências Farmacêuticas (LAPESF), Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste (UEZO), Av. Manuel Caldeira de Alvarenga, 1.203, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, Brazil;
| | - Heloísa do Nascimento de Moura Meneses
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (PPGCSA), Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz Av. Vera Paz, s/n, Bairro Salé, 1° Pavimento, Bloco Modular Tapajós, Unidade Tapajós, Santarém, Pará 68035-110, Brazil;
| | - Gustavo Hallwass
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências (PPGBio), Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, Bairro Salé, Santarém 68035-110, Brazil;
| | - Marcelo de Oliveira Lima
- Seção de Meio Ambiente, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde (SEAMB/IEC/SVS/MS), Rodovia BR-316 km 7, s/n, Levilândia 67030-000, Brazil; (M.d.O.L.); (I.M.d.J.)
| | - Iracina Maura de Jesus
- Seção de Meio Ambiente, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde (SEAMB/IEC/SVS/MS), Rodovia BR-316 km 7, s/n, Levilândia 67030-000, Brazil; (M.d.O.L.); (I.M.d.J.)
| | - Cleidiane Carvalho Ribeiro dos Santos
- Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena Rio Tapajós (DSEI), Secretaria Especial de Saúde Indígena Tapajós (Sesai), Av. Santa Catarina, 10° Rua, nº 96, Bairro Bela Vista, Itaituba 68180-210, Brazil;
| | - Sandra de Souza Hacon
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil; (A.R.S.P.); (S.d.S.H.)
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10
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Santos-Sacramento L, Arrifano GP, Lopes-Araújo A, Augusto-Oliveira M, Albuquerque-Santos R, Takeda PY, Souza-Monteiro JR, Macchi BM, do Nascimento JLM, Lima RR, Crespo-Lopez ME. Human neurotoxicity of mercury in the Amazon: A scoping review with insights and critical considerations. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111686. [PMID: 33396018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to mercury is a major public health concern, causing neurological outcomes such as motor and visual impairment and learning disabilities. Currently, human exposure in the Amazon is among the highest in the world. A recent systematic review (doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.12.001), however, highlighted the lack of high-quality studies on mercury-associated neurotoxicity. There is, therefore, a need to improve research and much to still learn about how exposure correlates with disease. In this review, we discuss studies evaluating the associations between neurological disturbances and mercury body burden in Amazonian populations, to generate recommendations for future studies. A systematic search was performed during July 2020, in Pubmed/Medline, SCOPUS and SCIELO databases with the terms (mercury*) and (Amazon*). Four inclusion criteria were used: original article (1), with Amazonian populations (2), quantifying exposure (mercury levels) (3), and evaluating neurological outcomes (4). The extracted data included characteristics (as year or origin of authorship) and details of the research (as locations and type of participants or mercury levels and neurological assessments). Thirty-four studies, most concentrated within three main river basins (Tapajós, Tocantins, and Madeira) and related to environmental exposure, were found. Mercury body burden was two to ten times higher than recommended and main neurological findings were cognitive, vision, motor, somatosensory and emotional deficits. Important insights are described that support novel approaches to researching mercury exposure and intoxication, as well as prevention and intervention strategies. As a signatory country to the Minamata Convention, Brazil has the opportunity to play a central role in improving human health and leading the research on mercury intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela P Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Raquel Albuquerque-Santos
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Priscila Y Takeda
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | | | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - José Luiz M do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá (UNIFAP), 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Rafael R Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
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11
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Crespo-Lopez ME, Augusto-Oliveira M, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Yuki Takeda P, Macchi BDM, do Nascimento JLM, Maia CSF, Lima RR, Arrifano GP. Mercury: What can we learn from the Amazon? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106223. [PMID: 33120229 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is among the ten most dangerous chemicals for public health, and is a priority concern for the 128 signatory countries of the Minamata Convention. Mercury emissions to the atmosphere increased 20% between 2010 and 2015, with South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia as the main contributors. Approximately 80% of the total mercury emissions in South America is from the Amazon, where the presence of the metal is ubiquitous and highly dynamic. The presence of this metal is likely increasing, with global consequences, due to events of the last two years including extensive biomass burning and deforestation, as well as mining activities and the construction of large-scale projects, such as dams. Here we present a concise profile of this mobilization, highlighting the human exposure to this metal in areas without mining history. Mercury reaches the food chain in its most toxic form, methylmercury, intoxicating human populations through the intake of contaminated fish. Amazonian populations present levels over 6 ppm of hair mercury and, according to the 175:250:5:1 ratio for methylmercury intake : mercury hair : mercury brain : mercury blood, consume 2-6 times the internationally recognized reference doses. This exposure is alarmingly higher than that of other populations worldwide. A possible biphasic behavior of the mercury-related phenomena, with consequences that may not be observed in populations with lower levels, is hypothesized, supporting the need of improving our knowledge of this type of chronic exposure. It is urgent that we address this serious public health problem in the Amazon, especially considering that human exposure may be increasing in the near future. All actions in this region carry the potential to have global repercussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Leticia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Priscila Yuki Takeda
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Martins do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá (UNIFAP), 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Cristiane S F Maia
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Rafael R Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela P Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
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12
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Lacerda EMDCB, Souza GDS, Cortes MIT, Rodrigues AR, Pinheiro MCN, Silveira LCDL, Ventura DF. Comparison of Visual Functions of Two Amazonian Populations: Possible Consequences of Different Mercury Exposure. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1428. [PMID: 32038136 PMCID: PMC6985551 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the visual perimetry and color vision of two Amazonian populations differently exposed to mercury. Ten riverines environmentally exposed to mercury by fish eating and 34 gold-miners occupationally exposed to mercury vapor. The visual perimetry was estimated using the Förster perimeter and the color vision was evaluated using a computerized version of Farnsworth-Munsell test. Riverine and gold-miners' hair mercury concentrations were quantified. Mercury hair concentration of the riverines was significantly higher than that from gold-miners. Riverines had lower perimetric area than the gold-miners. The errors in the hue ordering test of both Amazonian populations were larger than the controls (non-exposed subjects), but there was no difference between themselves. Riverines had significant multiple association between the visual function and hair mercury concentration, while the gold-miners has no significant association with the exposure. We concluded that the different ways of mercury exposure led to similar visual outcomes, with greater impairment in riverines (organic mercury exposed subjects).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Givago da Silva Souza
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.,Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Luiz Carlos de Lima Silveira
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.,Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Dora Fix Ventura
- Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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