Mercury: What can we learn from the Amazon?

Author(s)

Crespo-Lopez, Maria Elena ^[1] ; Augusto-Oliveira, Marcus ^[1] ; Lopes-Araujo, Amanda ^[1] ; Santos-Sacramento, Leticia ^[1] ; Takeda, Priscila Yuki ^[1] ; Macchi, Barbarella de Matos ^[2] ; Martins do Nascimento, Jose Luiz ^{[3, 2]} ; Maia, Cristiane S. F. ^[4] ; Lima, Rafael R. ^[5] ; Arrifano, Gabriela P. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Para, Inst Ciencias Biol, Lab Farmacol Mol, BR-66075110 Belem, PA - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Para, Inst Ciencias Biol, Lab Neuroquim Mol & Celular, BR-66075110 Belem, PA - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Amapa UNIFAP, Dept Ciencias Biol & Saude, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Farmaceut, BR-68903419 Macapa, AP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Para, Inst Ciencias Saude, Lab Farmacol Inflamacao & Comportamento, BR-66075110 Belem, PA - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Para, Inst Ciencias Saude, Lab Biol Estrutural & Func, BR-66075110 Belem, PA - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environment International; v. 146, JAN 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Mercury is among the ten most dangerous chemicals for public health, and is a priority concern for the 128 signatory countries of the Minamata Convention. Mercury emissions to the atmosphere increased 20% between 2010 and 2015, with South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia as the main contributors. Approximately 80% of the total mercury emissions in South America is from the Amazon, where the presence of the metal is ubiquitous and highly dynamic. The presence of this metal is likely increasing, with global consequences, due to events of the last two years including extensive biomass burning and deforestation, as well as mining activities and the construction of large-scale projects, such as dams. Here we present a concise profile of this mobilization, highlighting the human exposure to this metal in areas without mining history. Mercury reaches the food chain in its most toxic form, methylmercury, intoxicating human populations through the intake of contaminated fish. Amazonian populations present levels over 6 ppm of hair mercury and, according to the 175:250:5:1 ratio for methylmercury intake : mercury hair : mercury brain : mercury blood, consume 2-6 times the internationally recognized reference doses. This exposure is alarmingly higher than that of other populations worldwide. A possible biphasic behavior of the mercury-related phenomena, with consequences that may not be observed in populations with lower levels, is hypothesized, supporting the need of improving our knowledge of this type of chronic exposure. It is urgent that we address this serious public health problem in the Amazon, especially considering that human exposure may be increasing in the near future. All actions in this region carry the potential to have global repercussions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/24069-3 - ReSEARCH: Recognizing Signatures of the Exposome to Anticipate the Risks for a Continuous Health
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants