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Publication
Avaliação da exposição das mulheres portuguesas em idade fértil a mercúrio: a perspetiva da biomonitorização humana
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Privilegiado pela sua situação geográfica, Portugal tem como tradição
alimentar o consumo de peixe. Contudo, este consumo está também
associado à presença de mercúrio, na forma de metilmercúrio. A elevada
suscetibilidade de alguns grupos populacionais a este composto, nomeadamente
as mulheres grávidas pelas consequências desta exposição
para os fetos, torna imperativo conhecer o risco destes grupos populacionais.
Assim, o presente estudo, através de uma abordagem de biomonitorização
humana, teve como objetivo principal avaliar a exposição das
mulheres portuguesas em idade fértil ao mercúrio. Foram selecionadas
aleatoriamente 300 mulheres em idade fértil (25-44 anos) participantes
no Inquérito Nacional de Saúde com Exame Físico (INSEF), um estudo
transversal de prevalência representativo a nível nacional e regional, e
estimada a sua exposição a mercúrio através da determinação do teor de
mercúrio total (THg) em amostras de sangue total por espectrofotometria
de absorção atómica com decomposição térmica e amalgamação. Os
resultados obtidos revelaram a presença de mercúrio em 298 amostras,
com valores entre 0,6 e 32,0μg/L, e um valor médio de 5,9 ± 4,2μg/L.
Verificou-se que 48% das amostras apresentaram valores de concentração
de mercúrio superiores a 5,0μg/L e cerca de 13% apresentaram
valores superiores a 10,0μg/L, representando, por isso, um risco de
danos para a saúde. Com base nos resultados obtidos, é recomendável
reduzir a exposição das mulheres portuguesas em idade fértil ao mercúrio,
nomeadamente, se este corresponder a um período em que se
planeie gravidez, por forma a prevenir potenciais consequências para a
saúde. Estratégias de informação e comunicação do risco deverão ser
desenvolvidas, testadas e implementadas em Portugal, por forma a contribuir
para escolhas mais saudáveis e evitar a exposição a mercúrio.
Privileged by its geographical situation, Portugal has a dietary tradition that includes a high consumption of fish. The presence of mercury in this foodstuff, in the form of methylmercury and the high susceptibility of some population groups to this compound, such as pregnant women due to the consequences of this exposure for fetuses, makes it imperative to know the risk of these population groups. Thus, the present study, using a human biomonitoring approach, aimed to evaluate the exposure of Portuguese women of childbearing age to mercury. 300 women of childbearing age (25-44 years old) participating in the National Health Examination Survey (INSEF), a cross-sectional study of representative prevalence at national and regional level, were randomly selected, and their exposure to mercury was estimated by determining the total mercury content (THg) in whole blood by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with thermal decomposition and amalgamation. The obtained results revealed the presence of mercury in 298 samples, with values ranging between 0.6 and 32.0μg/L, and an average value of 5.9 ± 4.2μg/L. It was found that 48% of the samples had a mercury concentration value greater than 5.0μg/L and about 13% had values greater than 10.0μg/L, thus representing a risk of damage to health. Based on the results obtained, it is recommended to reduce the exposure of Portuguese women of childbearing age to mercury, especially if it corresponds to a period in which pregnancy is planned, to prevent potential health consequences. Risk information and communication strategies must be developed, tested and implemented in Portugal, in order to contribute to healthier choices and avoid exposure to mercury.
Privileged by its geographical situation, Portugal has a dietary tradition that includes a high consumption of fish. The presence of mercury in this foodstuff, in the form of methylmercury and the high susceptibility of some population groups to this compound, such as pregnant women due to the consequences of this exposure for fetuses, makes it imperative to know the risk of these population groups. Thus, the present study, using a human biomonitoring approach, aimed to evaluate the exposure of Portuguese women of childbearing age to mercury. 300 women of childbearing age (25-44 years old) participating in the National Health Examination Survey (INSEF), a cross-sectional study of representative prevalence at national and regional level, were randomly selected, and their exposure to mercury was estimated by determining the total mercury content (THg) in whole blood by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with thermal decomposition and amalgamation. The obtained results revealed the presence of mercury in 298 samples, with values ranging between 0.6 and 32.0μg/L, and an average value of 5.9 ± 4.2μg/L. It was found that 48% of the samples had a mercury concentration value greater than 5.0μg/L and about 13% had values greater than 10.0μg/L, thus representing a risk of damage to health. Based on the results obtained, it is recommended to reduce the exposure of Portuguese women of childbearing age to mercury, especially if it corresponds to a period in which pregnancy is planned, to prevent potential health consequences. Risk information and communication strategies must be developed, tested and implemented in Portugal, in order to contribute to healthier choices and avoid exposure to mercury.
Description
Keywords
Peixe Mercúrio Mulheres em Idade Fértil Toxicologia Contaminantes em Alimentação Contaminantes Metálicos Composição dos Alimentos Biomonitorização Humana Avaliação do Risco Determinantes da Saúde e da Doença Saúde Pública Portugal
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Boletim Epidemiológico Observações. 2020 setembro-dezembro;9(28):5-9
Publisher
Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, IP