A study published in March by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a public biomedical research group, found that in some Yanomami villages, 92 percent of residents suffered from mercury poisoning. The results shocked experts, who believe mercury is entering the food chain through fish in polluted rivers.
High mercury exposure harms the nervous, digestive and immune systems, can lead to impaired vision and hearing, and can be fatal.
The April raid was considered a success but Ibama's operation leader Roberto Cabral said the miners will probably be back.
"The aim is to destroy their equipment. We're not able to arrest them, there's no space in the helicopter," he said, sweat pouring down his face in the middle of the steamy jungle.
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