Pioneering Study Reveals High Mercury Levels in Children Living Near Volcanic Areas
- February 27th, 2025
- Scientific production
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Pioneering Study Reveals High Mercury Levels in Children Living Near Volcanic Areas
A study published in Toxics has revealed high levels of mercury (Hg) in the hair of children living in a volcanically active region. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of the Azores, highlights the significant health risks associated with exposure to gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) in hydrothermal environments.
Key Findings:
- Children living in a hydrothermal volcanic region had hair mercury levels 4.2 times higher than those residing in non-volcanic areas.
- Mercury exposure primarily occurs through inhalation of volcanic emissions, which can lead to bioaccumulation in bodily tissues, including the nervous system.
Implications for Public Health:
Mercury exposure, even at low levels, poses serious health risks, especially for children whose developing nervous systems are more vulnerable. While global health organizations, such as the WHO, have established safety thresholds for mercury exposure, this study underscores the need for enhanced monitoring and research in volcanic regions where populations may unknowingly be at risk.
Call for Further Research and Action:
The authors urge policymakers and health authorities to implement regular biomonitoring programs for populations living in volcanic areas. Additional research is needed to better understand the long-term health effects of chronic exposure to volcanogenic mercury and to develop strategies for risk mitigation.
About the Research
The study, titled Concerning Mercury (Hg) Levels in the Hair of Children Inhabiting a Volcanically Active Area, was conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, the Institute of Volcanology and Risk Assessment and the Azorean Biodiversity Group/cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and the CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute at the University of the Azores.
The research is published in Toxics and is available as an open-access article under the CC BY license.
For more details, access the study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030146