| Abstract Title: | Neuro-Muscular-Skeletal and Cardiorespiratory Changes in Riberians Exposed to Mercury in The Brazilian Amazon |
| Presenter Name: | Jose Maria Farah Costa Junior |
| Company/Institution: | Núcleo de Medicina Tropical / Universidade Federal do Pará |
| Session: | Human Exposure and Risk Assessment of Hg |
| Co-Authors: | Jos Maria Farah Costa Junior |
Abstract Information :
Introduction: Among all biological systems, the central nervous system is the one most affected by exposure to mercury due to its high toxicity, especially in its organic form of methylmercury. Objective: This study investigated the neuro-musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory functional changes in riverside dwellers of the Tapaj¢s exposed to mercury through frequent intake of fish in the diet, from 2017 to 2020. Methodology: Men and women, over 18 years old, living in the communities of Barreiras (BAR) and S?o Luiz do Tapaj¢s (SLT), both belonging to the municipality of Itaituba/PA, who agreed to participate in all stages, were included. Hair samples were collected for the determination of total mercury (Hgtotal) and sociodemographic, dietary and symptomatological data for the determination of the population profile. The evaluation of the neuromusculoskeletal system in its sensory part was performed through functional tests and its motor part through palm grip and the condition of cardiorespiratory balance through clinical tests. The results of the analysis of Hgtotal, carried out in the laboratory of Human and Environmental Toxicology of the NMT/UFPA through the spectrophotometry of atomic absorption by the hot vapor, were expressed in æg/g. Results: A total of 151 individuals participated in the study, 43 from SLT and 108 from BAR. Hgtotal levels ranged from 1.98 to 42.69æg/g, with a mean of 12.79ñ8.01æg/g in SLT. In BAR, the variation of mercury levels was smaller, from 0.18 to 17.93æg/g, with a mean of 4.65ñ3.37æg/g. Both in SLT and in BAR, most of them did not have any neuro-musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory alterations, and in these groups the average levels of Hgtotal only in SLT were above what is considered tolerable (6æg/g) by the WHO. Conclusion: The riverside communities of the Tapaj¢s River have low levels of exposure to mercury with a small percentage of the population presenting neuromuscular alterations, which cannot be specifically associated with the effects of this exposure, however, clinical-toxicological monitoring is recommended considering the consumption habit. of fish by food and Hgtotal concentrations found in species frequently consumed by communities.
