Author: Corbett CE, El Khouri M, Costa AN, Gyuricza JV, Corbett JF, Frizzarini R, de Araujo Andrade DC, Cordeiro Q, Stravogiannis A, Chassot CA, Vieira JL, Pinheiro Mda C.
Source: Arch Environ Occup Health.
Year: 2007
Comment:
This article suggests a potential link between health impairments and mercury exposure in a gold mining community.
Abstract / Excerpt:
“Serra Pelada is a village in the Amazon region of Brazil where most of the inhabitants are former gold miners. Of 235 individuals evaluated, 219 were males (93.19%), 16 were females (6.80%), and the mean age was 52.07 years (standard deviation = 11.57). Most were heavy drinkers (62.44%) and smokers (70.30%), and 85.53% had previously suffered from malaria. Reported symptoms included fatigue (30.60%), irritability (35.62%), excitability (14.16%), insomnia (34.48%), memory loss (61.80%), visual field constriction (4.18%), paresthesia (64.93%), partial hearing loss (16.35%), and gingivitis (18.01%). After an examination of the residents, the authors observed several neurological symptoms: tremors (22.80%), involuntary ocular movement (2.20%), visual field constriction (4.18%), Romberg syndrome (2.33%), involuntary tongue movement (2.19%), dysdiadochokinesia (0.43%), failure of a finger-nose test (10.96%), failure of a knee-heel test (4.84%), inability to complete a tandem march (6.25%), muscular weakness (2.27%), and damage to sensory organs (24.66%). The authors concluded that these neurological changes possibly resulted from mercury toxicity; however, they could not determine a significant correlation with the mercury levels detected in participants’ urine.”
Citation:
Corbett CE, El Khouri M, Costa AN, Gyuricza JV, Corbett JF, Frizzarini R, de Araujo Andrade DC, Cordeiro Q, Stravogiannis A, Chassot CA, Vieira JL, Pinheiro Mda C. Health evaluation of gold miners living in a mercury-contaminated village in Serra Pelada, Para, Brazil. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2007; 62(3):121-8.