Mercury from gold mining contaminates Amazon communities’ staple fish
The four species of fish most commonly consumed by Indigenous and riverine people in the Brazilian state of Amapá contain the highest concentrations of mercury.
In some species, researchers found levels of mercury four times in excess of World Health Organization recommendations.
The mercury comes from gold-mining activity, where it’s used to separate gold from ore before being burned off and washed into the rivers.
The health impacts of mercury contamination are well-documented, and include damage to the central nervous system, potentially resulting in learning disabilities for children and tremors and difficulty walking for adults.
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