AN ASSESSMENT OF HG POLLUTION IN DIFFERENT GOLDMINING AREAS, AMAZON BRAZIL

Metallic mercury used in gold prospecting is being dispersed over Amaz on ecosystems through atmospheric emissions as well as directly to aqu atic systems. Total mercury concentrations in the more representative environmental (air, soil, bottom sediments, fishes and plants) and hum an (hair and urine) indicators, collected in the last 7 years in diffe rent goldmining areas (garimpos) are presented and discussed. Critical exposure situations, pathways, areas and human groups are indicated. The goldminers (garimpeiros) that manipulate a major part of the Hg ar e not the critical group either from exposure to metallic mercury (Hg- 0) by inhalation or exposure to methylmercury by ingestion of contamin ated fish. Results obtained from air and urine sampling show that peop le working in gold dealers shops are the critical group concerning Hg- 0 risk, while riverine communities are the risk group with respect to methylmercury.