CONCENTRATION OF CR, MN, NI, PB, AND ZN IN A POPULATION LIVING NEAR AN INDUSTRIAL AREA IN THE BRAZILIAN EASTERN AMAZON

Abstract

In Barcarena, several industries are in operation, some of these industries generate highly toxic by-products, which end up influencing the social, economic, and health conditions of the residents. This study aimed to evaluate the exposure of an amazonian population to the elements Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn using hair as a bioindicator. The results showed the average hair contents of Cr (2.5±1.5 μg g-1), Mn (15.5±12.3 μg g-1), Ni (5.4±9.0 μg g-1), Pb (18.7±15.4 μg g-1), and Zn (274±227 μg g-1) in the studied residents were higher than the averages of the elements in other countries population. The highest concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Zn were detected in children under 11 years old. Cr stood out for presenting the highest levels in the 21 to 30 years old group and Mn presented a higher concentration range for the 11 to 20 years old group. Cr showed a significant correlation with age (0.901; p=0.014) in the group of children (age <11 years).