Document Detail


Exposure to mercury in pregnant women from Alta Floresta-Amazon basin, Brazil.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11097793     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The region of Alta Floresta in the South of the Amazon basin, close to the Teles Pires River, was one of the main prospecting gold areas in the Amazon Basin until the beginning of the 1990s. The economic growth was accompanied by a considerable increase in the population, due to a massive influx of migrants from the southern region of the country. Women had an important role during that process. They worked in the "garimpos" in different activities, such as cooking or managing, where they were exposed mainly to indoor elemental mercury during burning of amalgam. They also worked in gold dealers' shops, where a great amount of amalgam was burned daily. Fish consumption was an important dietary protein source and also a possible exposure pathway, due to the high Hg concentrations reported in carnivorous species. The present study evaluates the mercury uptake and consequent risks involved for pregnant women from Alta Floresta at the end of the gold rush period. The survey included women at different pregnancy stages and it was supported by clinical exams, followed by an interview with a specific questionnaire. Mercury hair concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 8.2 microg/g were found among women, with 13% of them showing concentrations above 2 microg/g. According to the results, mean differences in hair mercury concentration were statistically higher for pregnant women if they had worked in gold mining areas, they had consumed alcohol, their husbands had worked as "garimpeiros," they ate fish, and/or they had malaria before and/or during pregnancy
Authors:
S Hacon; E Yokoo; J Valente; R C Campos; V A da Silva; A C de Menezes; L P de Moraes; E Ignotti
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Environmental research     Volume:  84     ISSN:  0013-9351     ISO Abbreviation:  Environ. Res.     Publication Date:  2000 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-12-26     Completed Date:  2001-01-11     Revised Date:  2009-07-24    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0147621     Medline TA:  Environ Res     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  204-10     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Affiliation:
Pós-Graduação em Ciência Ambiental, Universidade Federale Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Shacon@domain.com.br
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Alcohol Drinking
Brazil / epidemiology
Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
Diet
Environmental Exposure / analysis*
Female
Food Contamination*
Hair / chemistry
Humans
Incidence
Mercury Compounds / adverse effects,  analysis*
Middle Aged
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications / metabolism
Public Health
Risk Factors
Water Pollutants, Chemical / adverse effects,  analysis*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Mercury Compounds; 0/Water Pollutants, Chemical

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