Proposed Legislation to Mine Brazil's Indigenous Lands Will Threaten Amazon Forests and Their Valuable Ecosystem Services

Abstract

Highlights d Mining within Indigenous Lands may impact 20% more forests than the current scenario d Proposed bill could affect forests providing at least $5 billion in ecosystem services annually d Impact assessments must comply with best practices to safeguard ecosystems and people

Neurological Impacts of Chronic Methylmercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Adults: Somatosensory, Motor, and Cognitive Abnormalities

“…In conclusion, despite its limitations, this study indicates that neurotoxicity due to chronic environmental methylmercury exposure in the Munduruku indigenous population provides evidence of the long-lasting persistent environmental impacts in the Amazon [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The context revealed here highlights the risk looming over the present and future generations, who represent a substantial social, ethnic, and culturally diverse community, and should be considered and treated as the country’s most significant wealth.…”

“…ASGM causes the liberation of large quantities of Hg in the ecosystem and, at the same time, mobilizes natural Hg present in the soil. In addition to ASGM, the construction of hydroelectric plants and dams, deforestation, and fires also alter the Hg cycle in the region, increasing the risk of human contamination [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Moreover, the traditional people living there are considered to be among the largest consumers of fish in the world [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Mercury Exposure in Munduruku Indigenous Communities from Brazilian Amazon: Methodological Background and an Overview of the Principal Results

“…Despite the undeniable relevance of this topic in the public health agenda, there is a noticeable scarcity of information about mercury exposure in the Munduruku group as well as in other indigenous people living in the Amazon. In the last two years, the Munduruku have suffered as a consequence of the anti-environmental policies proposed by the Brazilian government, especially Bill 191/2020, that aims to regulate the mining activities in protected areas of Amazon, including Indigenous Lands and Conservation Units [70]. Beyond the Munduruku, the Yanomami are also under violent attack with the invasion of the traditional territories and rights violation, but also with threats, physical attacks, setting fire to Indigenous leaders' homes, shootings, and deaths [71].…”

Health Risk Assessment of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption in Munduruku Indigenous Communities in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Nevertheless, the current policies of the Brazilian federal government aim to allow oil and natural gas extraction, agribusiness, mining, and other economic activities in protected areas and indigenous lands. These policies are responsible for the highest rate of deforestation in the past 10 years, weakening the environmental protection legislation and human rights of traditional and indigenous populations [20,25,26].…”