Lucchini Roberto G, Basta Paulo Cesar, Crespo-Lopez Maria Elena, Gastañaga Maria Del Carmen, O'Callaghan-Gordo Cristina, Olivero-Verbel Jesus, Vega Claudia, Moncada Barbosa Stefanny Magaly, Espinal Carlos, Felty Quentin, Deoraj Alok
School of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, USA.
Occupational Medicine, University of Modena, Italy.
Ann Glob Health. 2025 Jul 29;91(1):42. doi: 10.5334/aogh.4817. eCollection 2025.
Mercury contamination remains a significant public health concern in the Amazon basin. This review synthesizes recent evidence on mercury exposure, health outcomes, and emerging co-exposures in the Amazon countries. Data were presented at the Annual Conference of Global Health in the Americas, organized by Florida International University in Cartagena, Colombia on September 15, 2023, at a virtual session of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health on November 29, 2023, and subsequently updated with further literature search. Reported mercury concentrations in fish range from 0.10 to 4.73 µg/g, while hair mercury levels in exposed populations span 3.07-24.6 µg/g. Cross-sectional studies among Indigenous and traditional communities consistently demonstrate associations between mercury biomarkers-primarily measured in hair and urine-and neurocognitive as well as neuromotor impairments. Additional evidence links mercury exposure to increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Genetic susceptibility, notably APOE4 and GSTP1 polymorphisms, may modulate mercury absorption and toxicity. Co-exposures to microplastics and agrochemicals are increasingly reported in the region, raising concern over synergistic toxic effects. However, scientific evidence on these combined exposures remains fragmented and insufficient. To address this critical gap, we propose the formation of a cross-national scientific consortium to foster collaboration, enhance epidemiological capacity, and strengthen laboratory infrastructure. Crucially, efforts to address mercury contamination must center the voices of Amazonian Indigenous peoples, who bear the greatest burden of exposure while facing persistent social, environmental, and health inequalities. Meaningful engagement with these communities is essential to overcome marginalization and ensure that research, policy, and intervention strategies are culturally informed, equitable, and effective. Coordinated regional action is urgently needed to protect the health and rights of vulnerable Amazonian populations.
汞污染仍然是亚马逊流域一个重大的公共卫生问题。本综述综合了有关亚马逊地区各国汞暴露、健康结果以及新出现的共同暴露的最新证据。这些数据在2023年9月15日由佛罗里达国际大学在哥伦比亚卡塔赫纳组织的美洲全球健康年会上、2023年11月29日全球健康大学联盟的一次虚拟会议上进行了展示，并随后通过进一步的文献检索进行了更新。报告显示，鱼类中的汞浓度范围为0.10至4.73微克/克，而暴露人群的头发汞含量在3.07 - 24.6微克/克之间。对土著和传统社区的横断面研究一致表明，主要通过头发和尿液测量的汞生物标志物与神经认知以及神经运动障碍之间存在关联。更多证据将汞暴露与心血管和代谢风险增加联系起来。遗传易感性，特别是载脂蛋白E4（APOE4）和谷胱甘肽S - 转移酶P1（GSTP1）基因多态性，可能会调节汞的吸收和毒性。该地区越来越多地报告了微塑料和农用化学品的共同暴露情况，这引发了人们对协同毒性作用的担忧。然而，关于这些联合暴露的科学证据仍然零散且不足。为了填补这一关键空白，我们提议组建一个跨国科学联盟，以促进合作、增强流行病学能力并加强实验室基础设施建设。至关重要的是，解决汞污染问题的努力必须以亚马逊土著人民的声音为核心，他们承受着最大的暴露负担，同时面临持续的社会、环境和健康不平等。与这些社区进行有意义的互动对于克服边缘化至关重要，并确保研究、政策和干预策略在文化上具有针对性、公平且有效。迫切需要采取协调一致的区域行动来保护亚马逊脆弱人群的健康和权利。
