Health Risk Assessment of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption in Munduruku Indigenous Communities in the Brazilian Amazon
Copyright
open access
Type
Article
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Alternative Title
Affilliation
Advisor
Co-Advisor
Committee Member
Organizer
Coordinator(s)
Institutional author
Director
item.page.production
Screenplay
Producer
Recorder
Abstract
Abstract
Fish serves as the principal source of animal protein for the indigenous people of the
Amazon, ensuring their food and nutritional security. However, gold mining causes mercury (Hg)
contamination in fish, and consequently increases health risks associated with fish consumption. The
aim of this study was to assess the health risk attributed to the consumption of mercury-contaminated
fish by Munduruku indigenous communities in the Middle-Tapajós Region. Different fish species
were collected in the Sawré Muybu Indigenous Land to determine mercury levels. The health risk assessment was carried out according to the World Health Organization (WHO 2008) methodology and
different scenarios were built for counterfactual analysis. Eighty-eight fish specimens from 17 species
and four trophic levels were analyzed. Estimates of Hg ingestion indicated that the methylmercury
daily intake exceeds the U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (2000) reference
dose from 3 to 25-fold, and up to 11 times the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)/WHO (2003)
dose recommendation. In all situations analyzed, the risk ratio estimates were above 1.0, meaning
that the investigated Munduruku communities are at serious risk of harm as a result of ingestion
of mercury-contaminated fish. These results indicate that, at present, fish consumption is not safe
for this Munduruku population. This hazardous situation threatens the survival of this indigenous
population, their food security, and their culture.
Abstract in Spanish
Abstract in French
Description
Keywords in Portuguese
Munduruku, Região Amazônica
Keywords
Keywords in Spanish
Keywords in French
DeCS
Brasil, Saúde de Populações Indígenas, Índios Sul-Americanos, Mineração, Infecção por Mercúrio
Event Date
Previous version
Related Document
Means of dissemination
Duration
Duration
Original color system
Target audience context
Audience occupation
Educational Description
Evaluation
Peer Reviewed
Publication Status
Sponsorship
Latest version
Version
Event Location
Event title
Event Type
Citation
VASCONCELLOS, A.C.S.; HALLWASS, G.; BEZERRA, J.G.; ACIOLE, A.N.S.; MENESES, H.N.M.; LIMA, M.O.; JESUS, I.M.; HACON, S.S.; BASTA, P.C. Health Risk Assessment of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption in Munduruku Indigenous Communities in the Brazilian Amazon. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, n. 18, v. 7940, 2021. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157940
ISBN
ISSN
1660-4601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157940