@article{fdi:010049260,
  title = {{H}air mercury levels in {A}mazonian populations : spatial distribution and trends},
  author = {{B}arbieri, {F}lavia and {G}ardon, {J}acques},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground: {M}ercury is present in the {A}mazonian aquatic environments from both natural and anthropogenic sources. {A}s a consequence, many riverside populations are exposed to methylmercury, a highly toxic organic form of mercury, because of their intense fish consumption. {M}any studies have analysed this exposure from different approaches since the early nineties. {T}his review aims to systematize the information in spatial distribution, comparing hair mercury levels by studied population and {A}mazonian river basin, looking for exposure trends. {M}ethods: {T}he reviewed papers were selected from scientific databases and online libraries. {W}e included studies with a direct measure of hair mercury concentrations in a sample size larger than 10 people, without considering the objectives, approach of the study or mercury speciation. {T}he results are presented in tables and maps by river basin, displaying hair mercury levels and specifying the studied population and health impact, if any. {R}esults: {T}he majority of the studies have been carried out in communities from the central {A}mazonian regions, particularly on the {T}apajos {R}iver basin. {T}he results seem quite variable; hair mercury means range from 1.1 to 34.2 mu g/g. {M}ost studies did not show any significant difference in hair mercury levels by gender or age. {O}verall, authors emphasized fish consumption frequency as the main risk factor of exposure. {T}he most studied adverse health effect is by far the neurological performance, especially motricity. {H}owever, it is not possible to conclude on the relation between hair mercury levels and health impact in the {A}mazonian situation because of the relatively small number of studies. {C}onclusions: {H}air mercury levels in the {A}mazonian regions seem to be very heterogenic, depending on several factors. {T}here is no obvious spatial trend and there are many areas that have never been studied. {T}aking into account the low mercury levels currently handled as acceptable, the majority of the {A}mazonian populations can be considered exposed to methylmercury contamination. {T}he situation for many of these traditional communities is very complex because of their high dependence on fish nutrients. {I}t remains difficult to conclude on the {P}ublic {H}ealth implication of mercury exposure in this context.},
  keywords = {{AMAZONIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{I}nternational {J}ournal of {H}ealth {G}eographics},
  volume = {8},
  numero = {},
  pages = {71 [20 ]},
  ISSN = {1476-072{X}},
  year = {2009},
  DOI = {10.1186/1476-072x-8-71},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010049260},
}