[Genotoxic damage among artisanal and small-scale mining workers exposed to mercury].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the genotoxic damage among artisanal and small-scale mining workers exposed to mercury.


METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study which evaluated mercury-exposed workers (n=83), whose cells were collected by mouth swab for further staining, microscopic observance, micronuclei count, and other nuclear alterations. 24-hour urine was also collected for the determination of inorganic mercury.


RESULTS
68.7% of participants were male, the mean age being 43 ± 12,4 years (range: 16-76). The average time of occupational exposure to mercury was 12,1 ± 6,7 years, and the contact with mercury was 4,1 ± 3,6 kg per person per day. 93% of participants failed to wear personal protection gear while handling mercury. Results of biological monitoring showed that 17% of participants had concentrations of mercury in urine higher than 2,5 µg/L, this value being the detection limit of the measurement technique used. Results of the genotoxic evaluation evidenced that 15% of people with labor exposure to mercury presented micronuclei in mouth epithelial cells, and other indicators of nuclear alteration such as nucleoplasmic bridges, gemmation and binucleation were found, which are also considered genotoxic events associated to the exposure of physical or chemical risk agents.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding of micronuclei in mouth epithelial cells reflects genotoxic damage associated to the labor exposure of mercury used in artisanal and small-scale mining activities.
Jaime A
JA
Rosales-Rimache
Nancy
N
Elizabeth Malca
Jhonatan J
JJ
Alarcón
Manuel
M
Chávez
Marco Antonio
MA
Gonzáles
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D008628:Mercury