Epidemiologic confirmation that fruit consumption influences mercury exposure in riparian communities in the Brazilian Amazon

Since deforestation has recently been associated with increased mercury load in the Amazon, the problem of mercury exposure is now much more widespread than initially thought. A previous exploratory study suggested that fruit consumption may reduce mercury exposure. The objectives of the study were...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental research 2007-10, Vol.105 (2), p.183-193
Main Authors: Passos, Carlos José Sousa, Mergler, Donna, Fillion, Myriam, Lemire, Mélanie, Mertens, Frédéric, Guimarães, Jean Rémy Davée, Philibert, Aline
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amazon
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BLOOD
BRAZIL
Brazil - epidemiology
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
COMMUNITIES
DEFORESTATION
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental Pollutants - analysis
Environmental Pollutants - blood
Epidemiological Monitoring
Female
Fish consumption
FISH PRODUCTS
Fishes
Food Contamination
Fruit
Fruit consumption
FRUITS
HAIR
Hair - chemistry
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
MERCURY
Mercury - analysis
Mercury - blood
Mercury exposure
Metals and various inorganic compounds
Middle Aged
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS
RIVERS
Toxicology
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Summary:Since deforestation has recently been associated with increased mercury load in the Amazon, the problem of mercury exposure is now much more widespread than initially thought. A previous exploratory study suggested that fruit consumption may reduce mercury exposure. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of fruit consumption on the relation between fish consumption and bioindicators of mercury (Hg) exposure in Amazonian fish-eating communities. A cross-sectional dietary survey based on a 7-day recall of fish and fruit consumption frequency was conducted within 13 riparian communities from the Tapajós River, Brazilian Amazon. Hair samples were collected from 449 persons, and blood samples were collected from a subset of 225, for total and inorganic mercury determination by atomic absorption spectrometry. On average, participants consumed 6.6 fish meals/week and ate 11 fruits/week. The average blood Hg (BHg) was 57.1±36.3 μg/L (median: 55.1 μg/L), and the average hair-Hg (HHg) was 16.8±10.3 μg/g (median: 15.7 μg/g). There was a positive relation between fish consumption and BHg ( r=0.48; P
ISSN:0013-9351
1096-0953
DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2007.01.012