Metal exposure in a child population after a mine tailings dam failure. Projeto Bruminha

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the urinary concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Mn in children living in areas directly affected by the tailings of the Brumadinho disaster. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study on a population of 217 children aged 0 to 6 years, living in Córrego do Feijão (CF), Parque da Cachoeira (PC), Aranha (AR), and Tejuco (TJ), enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of Child Health in Brumadinho (Minas Gerais) — Projeto Bruminha. Socioeconomic data and urine samples were collected to determine the concentration of selected metals. RESULTS: Children living in locations not directly affected by the disaster (AR and TJ) had higher concentrations of As and Mn than those in directly affected areas (CF and PC). Additionally, children living in locations not potentially exposed to dust from tailings mud or mining activity (AR) showed higher urinary As concentrations than those potentially exposed (CF, PC, and TJ). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the need to investigate possible sources of As exposure in children living in areas not directly affected by the disaster and not potentially exposed to dust.