title: Correlation between mercury and selenium concentrations in Indian hair from Rondĵnia State, Amazon region, Brazil.
abstract: Total mercury and selenium concentrations were determined in hair samples collected from Wari (Pacaás Novos) Indians living in Doutor Tanajura village, Gujará-Mirim city, Rondĵnia State. The mercury concentrations in some samples are much higher than the values determined in samples from individuals not exposed to mercury contamination, occupationally or environmentally. The selenium concentrations are in the normal range. A correlation was observed between the mercury and selenium concentration and the values of the molar ratio approach 1 at low Hg concentrations. This fact is related to the equimolar complex formed by [(Hg-Se)n]m-Seleprotein P, which can decrease the bioavailable mercury in the organism.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Caracterização Química, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mônica  Campos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Jorge Eduardo Souza
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sarkis
authors.forename: Regina Céli Sarkis
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Edilson  Silva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brabo
authors.forename: Elizabete  Oliveira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001682:Biological Availability; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium