Fundão tailings dam failure in Brazil: Evidence of a population exposed to high levels of Al, As, Hg, and Ni after a human biomonitoring study

• Published in: Environmental research 2022-04, Vol.205, p.112524-112524, Article 112524
• Main Authors: Cavalheiro Paulelli, Ana Carolina, Cesila, Cibele Aparecida, Devóz, Paula Pícoli, Ruella de Oliveira, Silvana, Bianchi Ximenez, João Paulo, Pedreira Filho, Walter dos Reis, Barbosa Jr, Fernando
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological Monitoring; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Exposure; Fundão dam failure; High levels; Human biomonitoring; Humans; Mercury - analysis; Metals; Rivers; Seafood; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112524

On November 5th, 2015, the Fundão mine tailings dam in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, failed, releasing more than 50 million m3 of mud, rich in toxic metals. After that, a massive environmental disaster began with the mud wave flowing more than 600 km, until the mouth of Doce River, in Espírito Santo State, and finally reaching the Atlantic Ocean. A vast area was contaminated, affecting the ecosystem and several communities. Despite the tremendous environmental disaster, little is known concerning the population's exposure to toxic elements yet. Thus, a cross-sectional study was for the first time conducted in three communities directly affected by the disaster (Regência, Povoação, and Campo Grande) in Espírito Santo State, to evaluate the levels of 11 chemical elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in blood. Sample analysis (n = 300) was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our data show high levels of exposure to Al, As, Hg, and Ni. Mean values in blood were 60 μg/L (ranging from 9 to 434 μg/L), 10.9 μg/L (ranging from 5.81 to 269 μg/L), 6.4 μg/L (ranging from 0.05 to 103 μg/L) and 2.7 μg/L (ranging from 0.08 to 21 μg/L) for Al, As, Hg and Ni, respectively. Moreover, after applying a multiple regression model, we found community, drinking water, fish, seafood consumption, and smoking habits associated with metal/metalloid levels in their body. Well and tap water intake were identified as important sources of exposure to aluminum and nickel. Our findings represent health risks to the groups living in the areas affected by the tailings dam failure, calling for further studies to evaluate the potential health effects of high exposure to metals and remediation actions from public health Brazilian authorities.