Lead and mercury in the hair of children living in Cubatão in the Southeast Region of Brazil

Abstract

A study was carried out in 6 districts of Cubatão county, S. Paulo State, Brazil on a sample of 251 children aged between 1 and 10. The concentration of heavy metals (lead and mercury) in hair was tested. The lead concentration in the hair of 229 children was tested, and in 189 (82.5%) levels varying from 2.5 to 71.4 µg/g were detected. The average concentration of the lead found in hair was of 7.25 ± 8.51 µg/g. The concentration of mercury in the hair of 217 children was checked and all of them were found to have levels varying from 0.2 to 3.0 µg/g. The average concentration of mercury was of 0.82 ± 0.48 µg/g. No statistical difference (p >; 0.05) was observed between the averages found for lead and mercury in the hair of those who consumed and those who did not consume aquatic organisms.