The "Garimpo" Problem in the Amazon Region

Mercury Hazards from Gold Mining to Humans, Plants, and Animals

“…At least 400,000, and perhaps as many as 1 million, small-scale gold miners, known as garimpos, are active in the Brazilian Amazon region on more than 2000 sites (Pessoa et al 1995;Veiga et al 1995). It is estimated that each garimpo is indirectly responsible for another 4 to 5 people, including builders and operators of production equipment, dredges, aircraft (at least 1,000), small boats or motor-driven canoes (at least 10,000), and about 1100 pieces of digging and excavation equipment.…”

“…It is conservatively estimated that this group discharges 100 t mercury into the environment each year. There are five main mining and concentration methods used in the Amazon region to extract gold from rocks and soils containing 0.6-20 g/t gold (Pessoa et al 1995):…”

Use of Cavia porcellus (guinea pigs) as an experimental model for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis

“…Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis -L(V)b -is an important etiologic agent in Brazil due to its high morbidity, principally by the compromising of mucous membranes, which, in some cases, leads to deformations of the facial region and death (10,13).…”