HUMAN HAIR MERCURY LEVELS IN TUCURUI AREA, STATE-OF-PARA, BRAZIL

The environmental mercury contamination at the Tucurui water reservoir was studied by measuring the amount of mercury in human hair samples collected from fishermen and their families. Samples were also collect ed from the Parakana Indian reservation in the vicinity to give inform ation about the background levels in the area. The mercury concentrati ons in hair samples ranged from 0.9 to 240 mg/kg. The mean value in th e main reservoir was 65 mg/kg. Seven values exceeded 100 mg/kg and 31 values exceeded 50 mg/kg. The hair Hg concentrations amongst the fishe rmen in Tucurui reservoir are high enough to cause health effects. The fetal exposure is especially alarming. Changes in gold mining practis es and in the human diet are recommended.