Blood mercury concentrations in preschool children and potential risk factors in São Paulo, Brazil

Environmental exposure of preschool children to mercury can elevate blood mercury levels (BML) and negatively affect their health. This study aimed to determine BML in preschool children from Brazil's largest city and explore potential associated risk factors. Blood samples were collected in 20...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 363; no. Pt 1; p. 125112
Main Authors:	Salles, Fernanda Junqueira, Pereira, Elizeu Chiodi, de Oliveira, Allan Santos, da Costa, Eric A.C., Nogueira, Thiago, Lima, Marcelo de Oliveira, Pereira, João Paulo Góes, Queiroz, Thais Karolina Lisboa, Chagas, Brenda Rodrigues, de Jesus, Iracina Maura, da Silva, Agnes Soares, Cardoso, Maria Regina Alves, Olympio, Kelly Polido Kaneshiro
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Elsevier Ltd 15-12-2024
Subjects:	Air pollution Children Daycare centers Exposure Mercury Risk factors Daycare centers Air pollution Exposure Children Mercury Risk factors
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Summary:	Environmental exposure of preschool children to mercury can elevate blood mercury levels (BML) and negatively affect their health. This study aimed to determine BML in preschool children from Brazil's largest city and explore potential associated risk factors. Blood samples were collected in 2013 from 2436 children (age 1–5 years) attending 50 daycare centers (DCC) located in São Paulo, Brazil. Parents or guardians answered questionnaires collecting information on sociodemographics and potential risk factors. BML was determined by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (CV-AAS) and categorized using a cutoff point of 2.77 μg L⁻1, corresponding to the 75th percentile. Multiple logistic regression was performed (p < 0.05). Data were georeferenced and associations with air pollution, wind frequency and direction were evaluated. The results showed a geometric mean for BML of 1.65 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 1.60–1.70), arithmetic mean of 2.15 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 2.09–2.22), 75th percentile of 2.77 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 2.67–2.91) and 95th percentile of 5.51 μg L⁻1 (95% CI: 5.18–5.92). DCCs located in the Northwest and East zones (p < 0.001) and fish consumption in the past two days (p = 0.04) were associated with high BML. The elevated BML observed in children living in the eastern zone might be attributed to the southeasterly winds passing through a petrochemical complex located nearby. The 95th percentile of BML in this study exceeded the U.S. 95th percentile by five times. BML in São Paulo preschool children was associated with individual and environmental risk factors. This finding highlights the need to identify and control hot spots in São Paulo, Brazil, especially in peripheral and surrounding areas, where individuals are more vulnerable. Further research is needed in Latin America to identify additional sources of urban environmental mercury exposure and guide interventions for protecting the environment and safeguarding children's health. [Display omitted] •The geometric mean of blood mercury levels (BML) in preschool children was 1.65 μg L⁻1.•The 95th percentile of BML in preschool children was 5.51 μg L⁻1.•Daycare center location was associated with children's blood mercury levels.•Fish consumption in the past two days was associated with high blood mercury levels.•Southeasterly winds may influence high BML in children from the eastern zone.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0269-7491 1873-6424 1873-6424
DOI:	10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125112