Mercury toxicity in Amazon gold miners: Visual dysfunction assessed by retinal and cortical electrophysiology

Costa, Genilma M. da; Anjos, Laiza Medeiros dos; Souza, Givago da Silva; Gomès, Bruno; Saito, Cézar Akiyoshi; Pinheiro, Maria da Conceição Nascimento; Ventura, Dora Fix; Filho, Manoel da Silva; Silveira, Luiz Carlos de Lima

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2007.08.004

Cited by 38 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…more, because mercury is capable of global distribution via the atmosphere, many remote ecosystems have been affected by this toxic element (Pacyna et al 2008). The vision system and kidney of humans would be damaged when they are exposed to the environment with high Hg concentrations (da Costa et al 2008;Feng et al 2009). Unlike other heavy metals, Hg inputted in environment would transfer into greater toxic methyl mercury (MeHg) (Feng et al 2009).…”

Section: Responsible Editor: Stuart Simpsonmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spatial distribution and temporal trends of mercury and arsenic in remote timberline coniferous forests, eastern of the Tibet Plateau, China

Tang

Wang

Luo

et al. 2015

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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An intensive investigation was conducted to study the spatial distribution and temporal variety trend of mercury and arsenic in plant tissue and soil profile in the eastern of the Tibet Plateau and to explore the possible sources of these two elements. At present, rare information is available on mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) of timberline forests in the Tibet Plateau. Here, we present preliminary results on these two elements in leaves, twigs, root, litterfall, and soil. Geostatistical analyst of the ArcGIS 10.0 was used to determine the trait of spatial distribution of these two elements. Total arsenic (TAs) mean concentrations in the leaves, twigs, root, litterfall, and A- and C-layer soil ranged from 0.12 mg kg(-1) (n = 60), 0.35 mg kg(-1) (n = 60), 0.48 mg kg(-1) (n = 42), 1.52 mg kg(-1) (n = 84), 16.51 mg kg(-1) (n = 69), and 26.72 mg kg(-1) (n = 69), respectively. Total Hg (THg) mean concentrations in leaves, twigs, root, litterfall, and A- and C-layer soil were 0.0121 mg kg(-1) (n = 60), 0.0078 mg kg(-1) (n = 60), 0.0171 mg kg(-1) (n = 42), 0.0479 mg kg(-1) (n = 84), 0.0852 mg kg(-1) (n = 75), and 0.0251 mg kg(-1) (n = 75), respectively. In general, litterfall trended to accumulate high concentrations of Hg and As. Mercury in the timberline forest showed an increasing trend, whereas arsenic concentrations showed a decreasing trend in A-layer soil and an increasing trend in C-layer soil due to the easy mobile ability of As. Southwest and southeast monsoon could be the influencing factors, and Hg emission from India and China was the possible source of this study area through using a HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model. It is believed that these observations may offer scientists and policymakers additional understanding of Hg and As concentrations in the remote timberline area, eastern of the Tibet Plateau.

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Section: Responsible Editor: Stuart Simpsonmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spatial distribution and temporal trends of mercury and arsenic in remote timberline coniferous forests, eastern of the Tibet Plateau, China

Tang

Wang

Luo

et al. 2015

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…Reports on human Hg exposure in different regions of the Amazon indicated elevated hair Hg (H-Hg) concentrations ranging from a few lg/g up to 300 lg/g, with median exposure values in the order of 2 up to 20 lg/g (for review see Passos and Mergler 2008). Neurofunctional deficits were linked to Hg exposure in both children (Chevrier et al 2009;Cordier et al 2002;Counter 2003;Grandjean et al 1999;Murata et al 1999) and adults (Counter 2003;da Costa et al 2008;Dolbec et al 2000;Harada 1997;Lebel et al 1996Lebel et al , 1998Rodrigues et al 2007;Yokoo et al 2003). Hg exposure in this region is of particular concern since a large portion of its population depends on fish as a dietary mainstay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Neurotoxic Sequelae of Mercury Exposure: An Intervention and Follow-up Study in the Brazilian Amazon

et al. 2011

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Since 1995, the Caruso Project used an Ecosystem Approach to Human Health to examine mercury (Hg) exposure in fish-eating communities in the Brazilian Amazon and develop interventions to maximise nutrition from traditional diet and minimise toxic risk. In 1995, 2000 and 2006, this study followed fish consumption, Hg levels, and visual and motor functions in 31 villagers. Questionnaires gathered information on socio-demographics and diet. Hair Hg (H-Hg) levels were measured. Visual acuity, colour vision, manual dexterity and grip strength were assessed. Data was analysed using general linear models of repeated measures. Total fish consumption, similar in 1995 and 2000, decreased in 2006. Carnivorous fish consumption initially decreased and then remained stable, whereas non-carnivorous fish consumption first increased and then decreased. H-Hg declined from 17.6 to 7.8 μg/g. Visual functions showed a significant decrease over time, with those with H-Hg ≥ 20 μg/g in 1995 showing greater loss. Motor functions showed initial improvement and then returned to the 1995 performance level. Decrease in Hg exposure is attributed to the intervention and socio-economic changes in the village. While there may be a certain reversibility of motor deficits, visual capacities may decrease progressively with respect to exposure prior to the intervention.

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“…Human health risks due to mercury exposure are well known with kidney damage and signs of highly devastating neurotoxicity particularly in the central and peripheral nervous systems (Aschner and Aschner 1990;Langford and Ferner 1999;Magos 1997;Tchounwou et al 2003;Zalups 2000) as prime examples. DiVerent studies (Bose-O'Reilly et al 2008;Castilhos et al 2006;Corbett et al 2007;Cortes-Maramba et al 2006;da Costa et al 2008;Peplow and Augustine 2007;van Straaten 2000a, b;Veiga et al 2006) show that mercury contamination is still an active worldwide issue for both humans and the environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human mercury exposure associated with small-scale gold mining in Burkina Faso

Tomicic

Vernez

Belem³

et al. 2011

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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Mercury toxicity in Amazon gold miners: Visual dysfunction assessed by retinal and cortical electrophysiology

Cited by 38 publications

References 45 publications

Spatial distribution and temporal trends of mercury and arsenic in remote timberline coniferous forests, eastern of the Tibet Plateau, China

Spatial distribution and temporal trends of mercury and arsenic in remote timberline coniferous forests, eastern of the Tibet Plateau, China

Neurotoxic Sequelae of Mercury Exposure: An Intervention and Follow-up Study in the Brazilian Amazon

Human mercury exposure associated with small-scale gold mining in Burkina Faso

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