PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Widespread contamination of the Amazon basin with mercury has been reported to occur since at least the mid-80s due to heavy gold mining activity. Although initial studies have indicated that this may lead to deleterious neurological consequences to the indigenous populations living in the region, further research is needed to better characterize the neurological burden of such long-term exposure. With this aim, a cross-sectional exploratory study has been conducted with the Yanomami indigenous population residing in a northern Amazon region. All participants underwent a structured interview; detailed neurological examination, including assessment for cognitive, motor, coordination, and sensory functions; and laboratorial testing for serum hemoglobin, blood glucose, and methylmercury levels in hair samples. This study enrolled 154 individuals of 30.9 ± 16.8 years of age, of which 56.1% were female. Mean methylmercury levels in hair were 3.9 ± 1.7 µg/g. Methylmercury levels in hair > 6.0 µg/g were found in 10.3%. Among participants with hair methylmercury levels ≥ 6.0 μg/g, the prevalences of peripheral neuropathy and reduced cognitive performance were, respectively, 78.8% (95%CI 15-177%, p = 0.010) and 95.9% (95%CI 16-230.8%, p = 0.012) higher than those of individuals with lower levels. These results suggest that chronic mercury exposure may lead to significant and potentially irreversible neurotoxicity to Yanomami population living in the northern Amazon basin.
摘要：
据报道，由于大量的金矿开采活动，至少从80年代中期开始，亚马逊盆地就被汞广泛污染。尽管初步研究表明，这可能会对居住在该地区的土著居民造成有害的神经系统后果，需要进一步的研究来更好地表征这种长期暴露的神经负担.为了这个目标,已对居住在亚马逊北部地区的Yanomami土著居民进行了横断面探索性研究。所有参与者都接受了结构化访谈；详细的神经系统检查，包括认知评估，电机,协调,和感觉功能；以及血清血红蛋白的实验室测试，血糖，和头发样本中的甲基汞含量。这项研究纳入了154名30.9±16.8岁的个体，其中56.1%为女性。头发中的平均甲基汞含量为3.9±1.7µg/g。头发中的甲基汞含量>6.0µg/g，占10.3％。在头发甲基汞水平≥6.0μg/g的参与者中，周围神经病变的患病率和认知能力的降低，分别,78.8%（95CI15-177%，p=0.010）和95.9%（95CI16-230.8%，p=0.012）高于水平较低的个体。这些结果表明，慢性汞暴露可能会对生活在亚马逊盆地北部的亚诺马米人群造成重大且潜在的不可逆的神经毒性。
