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Human and environmental contamination by mercury from industrial uses in Brazil

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Abstract

The amount of Hg used for industrial purposes in Brazil has been estimated as 105 t.yr−1 of which, 50% is released into the environment, As the industries that use this Hg are located in the neighborood of highly populated areas, the number of people exposed to the risk of contamination is high, Severe cases of chronically poisoned workers have been reported most of them presenting neuropsychological disorders, Contamination of air, soil, and water resources are also observed. Analysis of sediments, water and biota of Guanabara Bay. Rio de Janeiro. show contamination of all segments by Hg originating mainly from a chlor-alkali plant located nearby, Higher concentrations of Hg were Bound in the sediments (0,7 to 20 mg.kg−1) where it is associated with organic matter usually under anoxic conditions. Mercury can became bioavailable by organification or by changes in the actual environmental conditions and is thus an important source of environmental contamination of people who consume its biota.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Studies of Workers' Health and Human Ecology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, CESTEH FIOCRUZ. Av. Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, 21041-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    J. C. Moreira & F. Pivetta

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  1. J. C. Moreira
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  2. F. Pivetta
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Additional information

Paper presented in the SCOPE Workshop on Role and Distribution of Mercury tin the Environment with Special Emphasis on Tropical Regions. Rio de Janeiro, November 26–28. 1994.

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Moreira, J.C., Pivetta, F. Human and environmental contamination by mercury from industrial uses in Brazil. Water Air Soil Pollut 97, 241–246 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02407462

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02407462

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