Residential Mercury Contamination in Adobe Brick Homes in Huancavelica, Peru

Abstract

This is the first study of adobe brick contamination anywhere in the world. Huancavelica, Peru is the site of historic cinnabar refining and one of the most mercury (Hg) contaminated urban areas in the world. Over 80% of homes in Huancavelica are constructed with adobe bricks made from Hg contaminated soil. In this study we measured total Hg concentrations in adobe brick, dirt floor, surface dust, and air samples from the interior of 60 adobe brick houses located in four neighborhoods. Concentrations of total Hg in adobe bricks, dirt floors, and surface dust ranged from 8.00 to 1070 µg/g, 3.06 to 926 µg/g, and 0.02 to 9.69 µg/wipe, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the four neighborhoods. Concentrations of Hg in adobe brick and dirt floor samples in Huancavelica were orders of magnitude higher than in Ayacucho, a non-mining town in Peru. A strong correlation exists between total Hg concentrations in adobe bricks and dirt floors which confirms that adobe bricks were being made on-site and not purchased from an off-site source. A strong correlation between surface dust and adobe bricks and dirt floors indicates that walls and floors serve as indoor sources of Hg contamination. Elemental Hg vapor concentrations were below detection (<0.5 µg/m3) in most homes; however in homes with detectable levels, concentrations up to 5.1 µg/m3 were observed. No statistically significant differences in Hg vapor measurements were observed between neighborhoods. This study demonstrates that building materials used widely in developing communities, such as adobe bricks, may be a substantial source of residential Hg exposure in silver or gold refining communities where Hg is produced or used for amalgamation in artisanal gold production.

Challenges and opportunities for managing aquatic mercury pollution in altered landscapes

“…1 ). In some exceptional cases, exposure to inorganic Hg from soil or vapors may pose a direct health risk (Robins et al 2012 ; Hagan et al 2013 , 2015 ). Nevertheless, most industrially polluted sites raise concerns because of MeHg bioaccumulation, mobilization of Hg to downstream locations, and/or evasion of Hg to the atmosphere.…”

Determination of Total Mercury and Carbon in a National Baseline Study of Urban House Dust

“…For example, a study of 100 homes located near smelting activities in southwest China reported a median Hg concentration of 1.8 mg/kg [40]. Other studies of homes in Hg mining and smelting areas reported Hg concentrations in house dust ranging from 6.4 to 120 mg/kg (median 20.9 mg/kg; n = 16) in Idrija, Slovenia [41] and 3.06 to 926 mg/kg (median 63.3 mg/kg; n = 60) in Huancavelica, Peru [42].…”

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“…Así pues, al igual que en el caso ecuatoriano, es difícil vincular directamente los malestares auto reportados por la población achuar con la exposición a metales pesados y metaloides. En poblaciones afectadas por diversas enfermedades que tienen que ver con sus condiciones de vida, una alta prevalencia de enfermedades tropicales y limitado acceso a servicios de salud, no sólo aumenta la vulnerabilidad de la población frente a la exposición a metales pesados y metaloides (38) si no que hace difícil determinar los efectos de exposiciones que pueden tener efectos inespecíficos. En el caso de la exposición al mercurio en población dedicada a la minería artesanal en Madre de Dios, Yard y colaboradores (34) miden los niveles de dicho metal en la población, mas no identifican las fuentes de exposición al mismo.…”

“…Estructura alimenticia y patrones de alimentación, preparación y consumo de alimentos En relación al consumo de pescado, una de las principales fuentes de proteína animal de la dieta indígena. Passos (38) concluye que, aunque existen muy pocos estudios sobre el tema, para la mayoría ésta es la principal fuente de exposición a mercurio. Su consumo ayuda a explicar incluso las variaciones en los resultados encontrados de acuerdo con la cantidad consumida durante un mismo periodo de tiempo (51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57) .…”