Abstract

SA, Andréa Lima de et al. Human exposure to mercury in the west region of State of Pará. Rev. Para. Med. [online]. 2006, vol.20, n.1, pp.19-25. ISSN 0101-5907.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to carry out a review of the bibliography about mercury levels detected in human populations of the west region of State of Pará. METHOD: Review of the bibliography according to the objective. CONCLUSIONS: Mercury levels described in different works and detected in exposed populations of Tapajós River basin were increased in some communities (Sao Luis de Tapajós, Barreiras and Rainha); however, these levels showed a gradual decreased in the last years. All these data also revealed a significant environmental exposure in communities of the neighborhood. This mercury exposure may be dangerous since intoxication levels achieved the limit designed by the World Health Organization, probably initiating neurotoxic processes and loss of motor control among other health problems.

Keywords : Mercury intoxication; Mercury; Neurotoxicity; Human.

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