High levels of metals/metalloids in blood and urine of residents living in the area affected by the dam failing in Barra Longa, District, Brazil: A preliminary human biomonitoring study

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2021 Apr:83:103566. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103566. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

Abstract

Fundão mining tailings dam in Mariana District has collapsed in 2015 and caused the biggest environmental disaster in Brazil. Barra Longa District had its urban area invaded by toxic sludge and its population was extensively exposed to it. Blood and urine samples were collected from 11 residents, focused on investigating the presence of metals at the end of an exploratory health study in 507 inhabitants in 2016. Results have shown increased levels of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cooper, lead, manganese and nickel, and zinc defficiency in their body, as well as clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Barra Longa; Brazil; Environment; Intoxication; Metals; Mining disaster.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arsenic / blood*
  • Arsenic / urine
  • Biological Monitoring
  • Brazil
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Pollutants / blood*
  • Environmental Pollutants / urine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Industrial Waste
  • Male
  • Metals / blood*
  • Metals / urine
  • Middle Aged
  • Mining
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Industrial Waste
  • Metals
  • Arsenic