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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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Jacques PD, Viglio EP, de Oliveira d’El Rei Pinto D. Environmental Geochemical Analysis in the Yanomami Indigenous Land, Mucajaí River Basin, State of Roraima, Brazil. TOXICS 2023; 11:861. [PMID: 37888711 PMCID: PMC10611350 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The Yanomami Indigenous Land in the Amazon has a long history of illegal artisanal gold mining, leading to concerns about mercury (Hg) contamination. This study has conducted a geochemical analysis to assess Hg contamination from these mining activities. Geological materials, including river water and stream sediments, were collected from 14 predetermined points based on the Geological Survey of Brazil's methodology. The results revealed that water samples did not show Hg contamination above the limits set by the National Council of the Environment (Conama) Resolution 357. However, two stream sediment samples, particularly PJS009 and PJS010 collected from the Mucajaí River, exceeded the Conama Resolution 454's limit of 0.17 mg/kg. A Hg content of 0.344 mg/kg was found in the sediment sample PJS009, the one collected further upstream in the Mucajaí River, and 1.386 mg/kg was found in sample PJS010, also in the Mucajaí River in the region shortly before the Fumaça Waterfall, indicating that the sediments of the Mucajaí River may be contaminated with Hg from the Fumaça Waterfall upstream.
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Basta PC, de Vasconcellos ACS, Hallwass G, Yokota D, Pinto DDODR, de Aguiar DS, de Souza CC, Oliveira-da-Costa M. Risk Assessment of Mercury-Contaminated Fish Consumption in the Brazilian Amazon: An Ecological Study. TOXICS 2023; 11:800. [PMID: 37755810 PMCID: PMC10535031 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11090800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is one of the most dangerous contaminants on the planet. In recent years, evidence of mercury contamination in the Amazon has significantly increased, notably due to gold-mining activities. Although mercury contamination in fish has consistently been documented, little is known about the risk associated with fish consumption by populations in urban areas of the Amazon. We sampled 1010 fish sold in public markets in six state capitals and 11 additional cities. Mercury levels were determined for each specimen, and the evaluation of the health risks associated with consuming mercury-contaminated fish was conducted according to the methodology proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Our study reveals that more than one-fifth (21.3%) of the fish sold in urban centers had mercury levels above the safe limits (≥0.5 µg/g) established by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). The prevalence of Hg contamination ≥0.5 µg/g was approximately 14 times higher in carnivorous than in noncarnivorous fish. The analysis of the risk attributable to fish consumption reveals that daily mercury intake exceeded the reference dose recommended by the U.S. EPA in all population groups analyzed, reaching up to 7 and 31 times in women of childbearing age and children from 2 to 4 years old, respectively. However, these risks are diverse depending on the type of fish consumed and must be considered to formulate appropriate nutritional guidelines for safe fish consumption by the local community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Cesar Basta
- Department of Endemic Diseases Samuel Pessoa, National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratory of Professional Education on Health Surveillance, Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Gustavo Hallwass
- Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation, Graduate Studies in Applied Ecology, Federal University of Lavras, São Sebastião do Paraíso 37950-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - Decio Yokota
- Iepé—Institute for Indigenous Research and Education, Macapá 68908-120, AP, Brazil;
| | - Daniel de Oliveira d’El Rei Pinto
- Department of Endemic Diseases Samuel Pessoa, National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, RJ, Brazil;
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de Vasconcellos ACS, Ferreira SRB, de Sousa CC, de Oliveira MW, de Oliveira Lima M, Basta PC. Health Risk Assessment Attributed to Consumption of Fish Contaminated with Mercury in the Rio Branco Basin, Roraima, Amazon, Brazil. TOXICS 2022; 10:516. [PMID: 36136481 PMCID: PMC9504189 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the health risk attributable to the consumption of mercury-contaminated fish for the urban and non-urban populations living in the Roraima state, Amazon, Brazil. Seventy-five fish specimens distributed across twenty different species, comprising four trophic levels (i.e., herbivore, omnivore, detritivore, and carnivore), were collected at four locations in the Branco River Basin. The fish samples were sent to the Toxicology Laboratory at Evandro Chagas Institute to determine the total-Hg levels by using the cold vapor atomic system (CVAAS). The total-Hg levels ranged from 0 to 3.159 µg/g. The average concentration in non-carnivorous species (n = 32) was 0.116 µg/g, and among carnivorous fish (n = 43), it was 0.869 µg/g. The weighted average of contamination levels for all samples was 0.545 µg/g. The health risk assessment was conducted according to the methodology proposed by the World Health Organization and different scenarios of human exposure were considered, based on three levels of fish consumption (low: 50 g/day; moderate: 100 g/day and high: 200 g/day). Women of childbearing age ingest 5 to 21 times more mercury than the dose considered safe by the U.S. EPA and intake a dose from 2 to 9 times higher than the safe dose proposed by FAO/WHO. Children under 5 years of age ingest from 18 to 75 times the dose proposed by the U.S. EPA and from 8 to 32 more mercury than the limit proposed by FAO/WHO. In summary, regardless of the level of fish consumption, type of residency (urban or non-urban), and the subset of the population analyzed, anyone who consumes fish from the locations sampled is at high risk attributable to mercury ingestion, with the only exception of adult men, who consume an average of 50 g of fish per day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratory of Professional Education on Health Surveillance, Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sylvio Romério Briglia Ferreira
- Postgraduate Program in Natural Resources (Pronat), Federal University of Roraima, Campus Paricarana, Boa Vista 69310-000, RR, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo de Oliveira Lima
- Environmental Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Strategic Products, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Belém 70723-040, PA, Brazil
| | - Paulo Cesar Basta
- Department of Endemic Diseases Samuel Pessoa, National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, RJ, Brazil
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Luz DA, Cartágenes SDC, da Silveira CCSDM, Pinheiro BG, Ferraro KMMM, Fernandes LDMP, Fontes-Júnior EA, Maia CDSF. Methylmercury plus Ethanol Exposure: How Much Does This Combination Affect Emotionality? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313131. [PMID: 34884935 PMCID: PMC8658096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a heavy metal found in organic and inorganic forms that represents an important toxicant with impact on human health. Mercury can be released in the environment by natural phenoms (i.e., volcanic eruptions), industrial products, waste, or anthropogenic actions (i.e., mining activity). Evidence has pointed to mercury exposure inducing neurological damages related to emotional disturbance, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The mechanisms that underlie these emotional disorders remain poorly understood, although an important role of glutamatergic pathways, alterations in HPA axis, and disturbance in activity of monoamines have been suggested. Ethanol (EtOH) is a psychoactive substance consumed worldwide that induces emotional alterations that have been strongly investigated, and shares common pathophysiological mechanisms with mercury. Concomitant mercury and EtOH intoxication occur in several regions of the world, specially by communities that consume seafood and fish as the principal product of nutrition (i.e., Amazon region). Such affront appears to be more deleterious in critical periods of life, such as the prenatal and adolescence period. Thus, this review aimed to discuss the cellular and behavioral changes displayed by the mercury plus EtOH exposure during adolescence, focused on emotional disorders, to answer the question of whether mercury plus EtOH exposure intensifies depression, anxiety, and insomnia observed by the toxicants in isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diandra Araújo Luz
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (D.A.L.); (S.d.C.C.); (C.C.S.d.M.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.M.M.M.F.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Sabrina de Carvalho Cartágenes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (D.A.L.); (S.d.C.C.); (C.C.S.d.M.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.M.M.M.F.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Cinthia Cristina Sousa de Menezes da Silveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (D.A.L.); (S.d.C.C.); (C.C.S.d.M.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.M.M.M.F.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Bruno Gonçalves Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (D.A.L.); (S.d.C.C.); (C.C.S.d.M.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.M.M.M.F.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Kissila Márvia Matias Machado Ferraro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (D.A.L.); (S.d.C.C.); (C.C.S.d.M.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.M.M.M.F.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Luanna de Melo Pereira Fernandes
- Departamento de Ciências Morfológicas e Fisiológicas, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), Universidade Estadual do Pará, Belém 66095-100, PA, Brazil;
| | - Enéas Andrade Fontes-Júnior
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (D.A.L.); (S.d.C.C.); (C.C.S.d.M.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.M.M.M.F.); (E.A.F.-J.)
| | - Cristiane do Socorro Ferraz Maia
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; (D.A.L.); (S.d.C.C.); (C.C.S.d.M.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.M.M.M.F.); (E.A.F.-J.)
- Correspondence:
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de Bakker LB, Gasparinetti P, de Queiroz JM, de Vasconcellos ACS. Economic Impacts on Human Health Resulting from the Use of Mercury in the Illegal Gold Mining in the Brazilian Amazon: A Methodological Assessment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182211869. [PMID: 34831624 PMCID: PMC8622153 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182211869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Amazon results in the dumping of tons of mercury into the environment annually. Despite consensus on the impacts of mercury on human health, there are still unknowns regarding: (i) the extent to which mercury from ASGM can be dispersed in the environment until it becomes toxic to humans; and (ii) the economic value of losses caused by contamination becomes evident. The main objective of this study is to propose a methodology to evaluate the impacts of ASGM on human health in different contexts in the Brazilian Amazon. We connect several points in the literature based on hypotheses regarding mercury dispersion in water, its transformation into methylmercury, and absorption by fish and humans. This methodology can be used as a tool to estimate the extent of environmental damage caused by artisanal gold mining, the severity of damage to the health of individuals contaminated by mercury and, consequently, can contribute to the application of fines to environmental violators. The consequences of contamination are evaluated by dose-response functions relating to mercury concentrations in hair and the development of the following health outcomes: (i) mild mental retardation, (ii) acute myocardial infarction, and (iii) hypertension. From disability-adjusted life years and statistical life value, we found that the economic losses range from 100,000 to 400,000 USD per kilogram of gold extracted. A case study of the Yanomami indigenous land shows that the impacts of mercury from illegal gold mining in 2020 totaled 69 million USD, which could be used by local authorities to compensate the Yanomami people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Barcellos de Bakker
- Leonardo B. Bakker Assessoria, São Clemente Street, Rio de Janeiro 254, Rio de Janeiro 22260-004, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Pedro Gasparinetti
- Conservation Strategy Fund, Av. Churchill 129, Rio de Janeiro 20020-050, Brazil;
| | - Júlia Mello de Queiroz
- Julia Queiroz Consultoria Desenvolvimento Verde, Maria Angelica Street, Rio de Janeiro 382, Rio de Janeiro 22461-152, Brazil;
| | - Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratory of Professional Education in Health Surveillance, Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
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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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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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Achatz RW, de Vasconcellos ACS, Pereira L, Viana PVDS, Basta PC. Impacts of the Goldmining and Chronic Methylmercury Exposure on the Good-Living and Mental Health of Munduruku Native Communities in the Amazon Basin. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8994. [PMID: 34501591 PMCID: PMC8431418 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18178994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper is an exploratory study that examines the illegal goldmining impacts on Munduruku communities' "Good-Living" (Xipan Jewewekukap) and explores the possible relationship between chronic methylmercury (MeHg) exposure and the worsening mental health conditions in three villages in the Middle-Tapajós River, Brazilian Amazon. The region has been experiencing a long-lasting threat of goldminers' invasions. A total of 109 people were interviewed and evaluated. Total mercury (THg) exposure levels were evaluated through hair samples analysis, from which MeHg exposure levels were calculated. The Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF) was used as a screening tool in order to assess mental health indicators. Brief non-structured interviews were carried out to investigate how goldmining is impacting the communities Good-Living. A Poisson regression model was used to estimate the possible association between mental health indicators (assessed through the GDS-SF) and the following independent variables: (i) mercury exposure level (<10.0 μg/g vs. ≥10.0 μg/g), (ii) self-reported nervousness, (iii) self-reported irritability, (iv) age group, and (v) monthly income. The analysis revealed high levels of mercury in hair samples (median: 7.4 µg/g, range 2.0-22.8; 70% and 28% of the participants had THg levels ≥6.0 and ≥10.0 µg/g, respectively) and pointed to a tendency in which higher levels of methylmercury exposure (Hg ≥ 10.0 µg/g) could be linked to worse mental health indicators. Although the GDS-SF has presented limitations due to the Munduruku sociocultural context, our findings suggest a tendency of worse mental health indicators in participants presenting high levels of MeHg exposure. Despite this limitation, the qualitative approach indicates an evident association between the impacts of goldmining and the Munduruku people's decreasing autonomy to maintain a Good-Living on their own terms, pointing to the importance of carrying out new investigations, especially considering longitudinal studies with qualitative methodologies and ethnographic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Waddington Achatz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Clínica do Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721-Butantã, São Paulo 05508-030, 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. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Lucia Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Antropologia, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Rodovia Dourados, Km 12, Unidade II, 364, Itahum, Dourados 79804-970, 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;
| | - 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
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10
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de Vasconcellos ACS, Hallwass G, Bezerra JG, Aciole ANS, Meneses HNDM, Lima MDO, de Jesus IM, Hacon SDS, Basta PC. Health Risk Assessment of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption in Munduruku Indigenous Communities in the Brazilian Amazon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7940. [PMID: 34360233 PMCID: PMC8345402 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Fish serves as the principal source of animal protein for the indigenous people of the Amazon, ensuring their food and nutritional security. However, gold mining causes mercury (Hg) contamination in fish, and consequently increases health risks associated with fish consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the health risk attributed to the consumption of mercury-contaminated fish by Munduruku indigenous communities in the Middle-Tapajós Region. Different fish species were collected in the Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land to determine mercury levels. The health risk assessment was carried out according to the World Health Organization (WHO 2008) methodology and different scenarios were built for counterfactual analysis. Eighty-eight fish specimens from 17 species and four trophic levels were analyzed. Estimates of Hg ingestion indicated that the methylmercury daily intake exceeds the U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (2000) reference dose from 3 to 25-fold, and up to 11 times the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)/WHO (2003) dose recommendation. In all situations analyzed, the risk ratio estimates were above 1.0, meaning that the investigated Munduruku communities are at serious risk of harm as a result of ingestion of mercury-contaminated fish. These results indicate that, at present, fish consumption is not safe for this Munduruku population. This hazardous situation threatens the survival of this indigenous population, their food security, and their culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratory of Professional Education in Health Surveillance, Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Hallwass
- Laboratory of Human Ecology, Fish, Fisheries and Conservation, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of West Para, 68270-000 Oriximiná, Brazil; (G.H.); (J.G.B.); (A.N.S.A.)
| | - Jaqueline Gato Bezerra
- Laboratory of Human Ecology, Fish, Fisheries and Conservation, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of West Para, 68270-000 Oriximiná, Brazil; (G.H.); (J.G.B.); (A.N.S.A.)
| | - Angélico Nonato Serrão Aciole
- Laboratory of Human Ecology, Fish, Fisheries and Conservation, Postgraduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of West Para, 68270-000 Oriximiná, Brazil; (G.H.); (J.G.B.); (A.N.S.A.)
| | | | - Marcelo de Oliveira Lima
- Environment Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health Surveillance Secretariat, Ministry of Health, 67030-000 Ananindeua, Brazil; (M.O.L.); (I.M.J.)
| | - Iracina Maura de Jesus
- Environment Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Health Surveillance Secretariat, Ministry of Health, 67030-000 Ananindeua, Brazil; (M.O.L.); (I.M.J.)
| | - Sandra de Souza Hacon
- Samuel Pessoa Department of Endemics, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
| | - Paulo Cesar Basta
- Samuel Pessoa Department of Endemics, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
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11
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de Castro NSS, Lima MDO. The disconnection between the Brazilian health information system and the cases of mercury exposure in Amazon. HEALTH INF MANAG J 2021; 50:103-104. [PMID: 30857438 PMCID: PMC7750659 DOI: 10.1177/1833358319833063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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12
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Contamination and Human Health Risk Due to Toxic Metals in Dust from Transport Stations in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. CHEMISTRY AFRICA-A JOURNAL OF THE TUNISIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42250-020-00174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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13
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Oliveira LF, Rodrigues LD, Cardillo GM, Nejm MB, Guimarães-Marques M, Reyes-Garcia SZ, Zuqui K, Vassallo DV, Fiorini AC, Scorza CA, Scorza FA. Deleterious effects of chronic mercury exposure on in vitro LTP, memory process, and oxidative stress. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:7559-7569. [PMID: 31885058 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06625-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments plays an important role in the exposure of humans to these toxicants. Among these pollutants, mercury (Hg) is one main concern due to its high neurotoxicity and environmental persistence. Even in low concentrations, Hg bioaccumulation is a major threat to human health, with higher impact on populations whose diet has fish as chief consumption. Mercury compounds have high affinity for neuronal receptors and proteins, which gives Hg its cumulative feature and have the ability to cross cell membranes and blood-brain barrier to show their neurotoxicity. Intoxication with Hg increases levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus depleting faster the resource of antioxidant proteins. To evaluate Hg-induced hippocampal ROS production, synaptic plasticity, anxiety, and memory, a total of 11 male Wistar rats were exposed to HgCl2 (Hg30 group) to produce a residual concentration of 8 ng/mL at the end of 30 days. Behavioral tests (plus-maze discriminative avoidance task), in vitro electrophysiology, and ROS assays were performed. Western blot assay showed decreased levels of antioxidant proteins GPx and SOD in Hg30 group. Increased ROS production was observed in the CA1 and CA3 regions in the Hg-exposed group. Plus-maze task detected long-term memory impairment in Hg30 group, linked to poorer in vitro long-term potentiation as compared to control group. Hg intoxication also promoted higher anxiety-like behavior in the exposed animals. In conclusion, our data suggests that low doses of HgCl2 resulted in impaired long-term memory and unbalance between decreased antioxidant protein expression and increased ROS production in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro F Oliveira
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UNIFESP/EPM, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laís D Rodrigues
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UNIFESP/EPM, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana B Nejm
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UNIFESP/EPM, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Selvin Z Reyes-Garcia
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UNIFESP/EPM, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Morphological Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
| | - Karolini Zuqui
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Dalton V Vassallo
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Ana C Fiorini
- Department of Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, UNIFESP/EPM, Brazil and Pontifical Catholic University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla A Scorza
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UNIFESP/EPM, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fulvio A Scorza
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UNIFESP/EPM, São Paulo, Brazil.
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14
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Crespo-López ME, Soares ES, Macchi BDM, Santos-Sacramento L, Takeda PY, Lopes-Araújo A, Paraense RSDO, Souza-Monteiro JR, Augusto-Oliveira M, Luz DA, Maia CDSF, Rogez H, Lima MDO, Pereira JP, Oliveira DC, Burbano RR, Lima RR, do Nascimento JLM, Arrifano GDP. Towards Therapeutic Alternatives for Mercury Neurotoxicity in the Amazon: Unraveling the Pre-Clinical Effects of the Superfruit Açaí ( Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) as Juice for Human Consumption. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112585. [PMID: 31717801 PMCID: PMC6893510 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is a serious problem of public health, especially in the Amazon. Exposure in riverine populations is responsible for neurobehavioral abnormalities. It was hypothesized that consumption of Amazonian fruits could protect by reducing mercury accumulation. This work analyzed the effects of commercial samples of Euterpe oleracea (EO) for human consumption (10 μL/g) against MeHg i.p. exposure (2.5 mg/Kg), using neurobehavioral (open field, rotarod and pole tests), biochemical (lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels), aging-related (telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression) and toxicokinetic (MeHg content) parameters in mice. Both the pole and rotarod tests were the most sensitive tests accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels in brains. MeHg reduced TERT mRNA about 50% demonstrating a strong pro-aging effect. The EO intake, similar to that of human populations, prevented all alterations, without changing the mercury content, but avoiding neurotoxicity and premature aging of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Contrary to the hypothesis found in the literature on the possible chelating properties of Amazonian fruits consumption, the effect of EO would be essentially pharmacodynamics, and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our data already support the regular consumption of EO as an excellent option for exposed Amazonian populations to have additional protection against MeHg intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ericks Sousa Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Investigation, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa, Catarina, Florianópolis-SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Priscila Yuki Takeda
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Diandra Araújo Luz
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior and Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Hervé Rogez
- Centre for Valorisation of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA) and Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - João Paulo Pereira
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretary of Sanitary Surveillance, Belém-PA 66093-020, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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15
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Lima FRD, Martins GC, Silva AO, Vasques ICF, Engelhardt MM, Cândido GS, Pereira P, Reis RHCL, Carvalho GS, Windmöller CC, Moreira FMS, Guilherme LRG, Marques JJ. Critical mercury concentration in tropical soils: Impact on plants and soil biological attributes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 666:472-479. [PMID: 30802662 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic element that becomes a problem when present at high concentrations in soils. Mercury toxicity in soils varies depending on chemical species, concentration, exposure routes, and organism vulnerability. There is little information regarding the toxicity of Hg in tropical soils, especially for establishing safe levels of this pollutant. The purpose of this study was to investigate Hg concentrations in two tropical soils and their effect on oats and common beans, as well as on soil biological attributes. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, following ISO 11.269-2 and OECD-208 guidelines. Oat and common bean were cultivated in a Typic Hapludox (TyHpx) and Rhodic Acrudox (RhAcx) contaminated with HgCl2 at the following concentrations: 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 40.0, and 80.0 mg of Hg kg-1 of dry soil. The biological variables analyzed were seedling emergence, vegetative growth, chlorophyll content (SPAD index), gas exchange (photosynthetic rate, internal CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance), and Hg concentration and accumulation in shoot dry matter. Microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration, and metabolic quotient (qCO2) were also analyzed. Due to the sorptive characteristics of TyHpx, it had higher Hg concentrations than RhAcx. Mercury showed toxic effects on both oat and common bean species. However, common bean was affected only at concentrations higher than 20 mg kg-1. The microbial community showed high sensitivity to soil Hg concentrations, but external factors, such as the plant species cultivated, influenced the sensitivity of the community. The microbiota was most sensitive in pots with common bean, and this effect was more pronounced at low clay and low organic matter contents (TyHpx). In this study, the concentration of 0.36 mg kg-1 was critical for Hg in these soils, based on its deleterious effects on oat and common bean and on biological soil attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R D Lima
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - G C Martins
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém 66055-090, Pará State, Brazil
| | - A O Silva
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - I C F Vasques
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - M M Engelhardt
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - G S Cândido
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - P Pereira
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - R H C L Reis
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - G S Carvalho
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - C C Windmöller
- Departamento de Química, ICEX, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - F M S Moreira
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - L R G Guilherme
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - J J Marques
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
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16
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Oliveira AN, Pinheiro AM, Belém-Filho IJA, Fernandes LMP, Cartágenes SC, Ribera PC, Fontes-Júnior EA, Crespo-Lopez ME, Monteiro MC, Lima MO, Maia CSF. Unravelling motor behaviour hallmarks in intoxicated adolescents: methylmercury subtoxic-dose exposure and binge ethanol intake paradigm in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:21937-21948. [PMID: 29797195 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2235-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a hazardous environmental pollutant, affecting Amazon basin communities by anthropogenic activities. The exact safe level of MeHg exposure is unclear, despite the efforts of health international societies to avoid mercury (Hg) poisoning. Central nervous system is severely impacted by Hg intoxication, reflecting on motor impairment. In addition, alcohol has been associated to an overall brain damage. According to lifestyle of Amazon riverside communities, alcohol intake occurs frequently. Thus, we investigated if continuous MeHg exposure at low doses during adolescence displays motor deficits (experiment 1). In the experiment 2, we examine if the co-intoxication (i.e. MeHg plus ethanol exposure) during adolescence intensify motor damage. In the experiment 1, Wistar adolescent rats (31 days old) received chronic exposure to low dose (CELD) of MeHg (40 μg/kg/day) for 35 days. For the experiment 2, five sessions of alcohol binge drinking paradigm (3ON-4OFF; 3.0 g/kg/day) were employed associated to MeHg intoxication. Motor behaviour was evaluated by the open field, pole test, beam walking and rotarod paradigms. CELDS of MeHg display motor function damage, related to hypoactivity, bradykinesia-like behaviour, coordination deficits and motor learning impairment. Co-intoxication of MeHg plus ethanol reduced cerebellar Hg content, however also resulted in motor behavioural impairment, as well as additive effects on bradykinesia and fine motor evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Nascimento Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Alana Miranda Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Ivaldo Jesus Almeida Belém-Filho
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Luanna Melo Pereira Fernandes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Carvalho Cartágenes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Paula Cardoso Ribera
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Enéas Andrade Fontes-Júnior
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Marta Chagas Monteiro
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Clinica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UFPA, Belém, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Oliveira Lima
- Laboratório de Toxicologia, Seção de Meio Ambiente, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Socorro Ferraz Maia
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil.
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17
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Arrifano GPF, Martín-Doimeadios RCR, Jiménez-Moreno M, Fernández-Trujillo S, Augusto-Oliveira M, Souza-Monteiro JR, Macchi BM, Alvarez-Leite JI, do Nascimento JLM, Amador MT, Santos S, Ribeiro-Dos-Santos Â, Silva-Pereira LC, Oriá RB, Crespo-Lopez ME. Genetic Susceptibility to Neurodegeneration in Amazon: Apolipoprotein E Genotyping in Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Mercury. Front Genet 2018; 9:285. [PMID: 30100920 PMCID: PMC6073741 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human exposure to mercury is a serious problem of public health in Amazon. As in other vulnerable populations throughout the world, Amazonian riverine populations are chronically exposed to this metal and some symptoms of mercury intoxication were already detected in these populations. However, studies on the genetic susceptibility to mercury toxicity in the Amazon are scarce, and they tested a limited number of individuals. In this context, apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is a key element with a well-established association among their alleles and the neurodegenerative consequences of mercury intoxication. However, no studies have addressed APOE genotyping in Amazonian exposed populations. Additionally, epidemiological studies with APOE genotyping in Amazon have been restricted to indigenous populations. Therefore, this work analyzed for the first time the genotypic and allelic profiles of APOE in Amazonian riverine populations chronically exposed to mercury. Eight hundred and twenty three individuals were enrolled in our study donating blood (794) and/or hair (757). APOE genotyping was analyzed by real-time PCR. Total mercury and mercury species were quantified by ICP-MS and GC-pyro-AFS, respectively. Genomic ancestry markers were evaluated by multiplex-PCR reaction, separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer instrument and analyzed on GeneMapper ID v3.2. The 𝜀3 and 𝜀3/𝜀3 were the most frequent allele and genotype, respectively, followed by 𝜀4 allele and 𝜀3/𝜀4 genotype. Only 𝜀2/𝜀2 genotype was not found, suggesting that the absence of this genotype is a generalized phenomenon in Amazon. Also, our data supported an association between the presence of APOE4 and the Amerindian origin in these populations. Fifty-nine individuals were identified at maximum risk with levels of mercury above 10 μg/g and the presence of APOE4. Interestingly, among individuals with high mercury content, APOE4-carriers had high mercury levels than APOE2-carriers, pointing to a different heavy metal accumulation according to the APOE allele. These data suggest that APOE4, in addition to a possible pharmacodynamic effect, may influence pharmacokinetically the mercury exposure causing its higher accumulation and leading to worse deleterious consequences. Our results may aid in the development of prevention strategies and health policy decision-making regarding these at-risk vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P F Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Rosa C R Martín-Doimeadios
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - María Jiménez-Moreno
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Sergio Fernández-Trujillo
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção (Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto), Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - José R Souza-Monteiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - José L M do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.,Neuroscience Research Group, CEUMA University, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Marcos T Amador
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Sidney Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Ândrea Ribeiro-Dos-Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Laboratório da Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos, Departamento de Morfologia e Instituto de Biomedicina, Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Maria E Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
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Oliveira CS, Nogara PA, Ardisson-Araújo DMP, Aschner M, Rocha JBT, Dórea JG. Neurodevelopmental Effects of Mercury. ADVANCES IN NEUROTOXICOLOGY 2018; 2:27-86. [PMID: 32346667 PMCID: PMC7188190 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ant.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The toxicology of mercury (Hg) is of concern since this metal is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, and living organisms are routinely exposed to Hg at low to high levels. The toxic effects of Hg are well studied and it is known that they may differ depending on the Hg chemical species. In this chapter, we emphasize the neurotoxic effects of Hg during brain development. The immature brain is more susceptible to Hg exposure, since all the Hg chemical forms, not only the organic ones, can harm it. The possible consequences of Hg exposure during the early stages of development, the additive effects with other co-occurring neurotoxicants, and the known mechanisms of action and targets will be addressed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia S Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Pablo A Nogara
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Daniel M P Ardisson-Araújo
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
- Laboratório de Virologia de Insetos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY, USA
| | - João B T Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - José G Dórea
- Professor Emeritus, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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