[Mercury exposure evaluation among Pakaanóva Indians, Amazon Region, Brazil]

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate mercury (Hg) exposure among 910 Pakaan va Indians from the counties of Guajar Mirim and Nova Marmor , Rond nia State, Brazil. Individual hair samples were taken from the occipital region, and Hg was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry with cold vapor generation. Mean Hg in hair samples was 8.37 micro g/g (range 0.52-83.89), indicating high exposure. Young children (< 2 years old) showed a mean Hg of 10.54 micro g/g, and children from 3 to 5 years old had a mean Hg of 9.34 micro g/g. Mercury levels in women (8,91 micro g/g) were higher than in men (7.55 micro g/g), and this difference was significant (t = 3.26; p < 0.01). These results indicate the need for surveillance programs and complementary studies including the Pakaan va Indians in Rond nia State.