Mercury Exposure in a Riverside Amazon Population, Brazil: A Study of the Ototoxicity of Methylmercury

Introduction Mercury poisoning causes hearing loss in humans and animals. Acute and long-term exposures produce irreversible peripheral and central auditory system damage, and mercury in its various forms of presentation in the environment is ototoxic. Objective We investigated the otoacoustic emissions responses in a riverside population exposed to environmental mercury by analyzing the inhibitory effect of the medial olivocochlear system (MOCS) on transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE). Methods The purpose of the research was to evaluate the entire community independently of variables of sex and age. All of the participants were born and lived in a riverside community. After otolaryngologic evaluation, participants were received tympanometry, evaluation of contralateral acoustic reflexes, pure tone audiometry, and recording of TEOAEs with nonlinear click stimulation. Hair samples were collect to measure mercury levels. Results There was no significant correlation between the inhibitory effect of the MOCS, age, and the level of mercury in the hair. Conclusions The pathophysiological effects of chronic exposure may be subtle and nonspecific and can have a long period of latency; therefore, it will be important to monitor the effects of mercury exposure in the central auditory system of the Amazon population over time. Longitudinal studies should be performed to determine whether the inhibitory effect of the MOCS on otoacoustic emissions can be an evaluation method and diagnostic tool in populations exposed to mercury. .

Mercury exposure in a riverside Amazon population, Brazil: a study of the ototoxicity of methylmercury.

Introduction Mercury poisoning causes hearing loss in humans and animals. Acute and long-term exposures produce irreversible peripheral and central auditory system damage, and mercury in its various forms of presentation in the environment is ototoxic. Objective We investigated the otoacoustic emissions responses in a riverside population exposed to environmental mercury by analyzing the inhibitory effect of the medial olivocochlear system (MOCS) on transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE). Methods The purpose of the research was to evaluate the entire community independently of variables of sex and age. All of the participants were born and lived in a riverside community. After otolaryngologic evaluation, participants were received tympanometry, evaluation of contralateral acoustic reflexes, pure tone audiometry, and recording of TEOAEs with nonlinear click stimulation. Hair samples were collect to measure mercury levels. Results There was no significant correlation between the inhibitory effect of the MOCS, age, and the level of mercury in the hair. Conclusions The pathophysiological effects of chronic exposure may be subtle and nonspecific and can have a long period of latency; therefore, it will be important to monitor the effects of mercury exposure in the central auditory system of the Amazon population over time. Longitudinal studies should be performed to determine whether the inhibitory effect of the MOCS on otoacoustic emissions can be an evaluation method and diagnostic tool in populations exposed to mercury.

[Auditory temporal processing assessment in rural workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides]. / Avaliação do processamento auditivo temporal em trabalhadores rurais expostos a agrotóxicos organofosforados.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the auditory temporal processing in workers occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in which 43 rural workers of both genders with bilaterally normal auditory thresholds that were occupationally exposed to organophosphates were assessed. The procedures included the following items: questionnaire regarding personal and professional background, period of exposition to organophosphates, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry. Auditory temporal processing was tested through: the Frequency Pattern Test, the Duration Pattern Test and the Gaps-In-Noise Test. Performance on the tests were analyzed, as well as differences between left and right ears on the Gaps-In-Noise Test, and education level in all tests. RESULTS: In great part of the subjects, auditory temporal processing performance was below normal standards. There was no difference between ears on the Gaps-In-Noise Test (p=0.33). Additionally, no differences were found on any of the tests according to education level (Gaps-In-Noise: p=0.21 on the right ear, and p=0.053 on the left ear; Frequency Pattern Test: p=0.37; Duration Pattern Test: p=0.84). CONCLUSION: Temporal resolution and temporal order abilities were altered in individuals occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides, even when they showed normal peripheral auditory thresholds.

Avaliação do processamento auditivo temporal em trabalhadores rurais expostos a agrotóxicos organofosforados / Auditory temporal processing assessment in rural workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o processamento auditivo temporal em trabalhadores expostos ocupacionalmente a agrotóxicos organofosforados. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo transversal. Foram avaliados 43 trabalhadores rurais, de ambos os gêneros, expostos ao organofosforado, com limiares audiométricos normais bilateralmente. Os procedimentos realizados incluíram os seguintes itens: questionário sobre a história pessoal e laboral, período de exposição ao organofosforado, meatoscopia, e audiometria tonal liminar. Para avaliação do processamento auditivo temporal foram utilizados os seguintes testes: Teste de Padrão de Frequência, Teste de Padrão de Duração e Gaps-In-Noise. Além do desempenho, estudou-se a diferença entre as orelhas direita e esquerda no Gaps-In-Noise e a faixa de escolaridade em todos os testes. RESULTADOS: O desempenho da maior parte dos trabalhadores nos testes de processamento auditivo temporal foi inferior em relação aos padrões de normalidade. No teste Gaps-In-Noise, não houve diferença entre as orelhas (p=0,33). Em relação à escolaridade, não houve diferença em nenhum dos testes (Gaps-In-Noise: p=0,21 na orelha direita e p=0,053 na orelha esquerda; Teste de Padrão de Frequência: p=0,37; e Teste de Padrão de Duração: p=0,84). CONCLUSÃO: As habilidades auditivas de resolução temporal e ordenação temporal mostram-se comprometidas em indivíduos expostos ao organofosforado, mesmo estes apresentando audição periférica normal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the auditory temporal processing in workers occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides. METHODS: Cross-sectionalstudy in which 43 rural workers of both genders with bilaterally normal auditory thresholds that were occupationally exposed to organophosphates were assessed. The procedures included the following items: questionnaire regarding personal and professional background, period of exposition to organophosphates, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry. Auditory temporal processing was tested through: the Frequency Pattern Test, the Duration Pattern Test and the Gaps-In-Noise Test. Performance on the tests were analyzed, as well as differences between left and right ears on the Gaps-In-Noise Test, and education level in all tests. RESULTS: Ingreat part of the subjects, auditory temporal processing performance was below normal standards. There was no difference between ears on the Gaps-In-Noise Test (p=0.33). Additionally, no differences were found on any of the tests according to education level (Gaps-In-Noise: p=0.21 on the right ear, and p=0.053 on the left ear; Frequency Pattern Test: p=0.37; Duration Pattern Test: p=0.84). CONCLUSION: Temporal resolution and temporal order abilities were altered in individuals occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides, even when they showed normal peripheral auditory thresholds.

A auto-percepção da saúde auditiva e vestibular de trabalhadores expostos a organofosforados / Auto-perception of auditory and vestibular health in workers exposed to organophosphate

OBJETIVO: caracterizar os sintomas auditivos e vestibulares de trabalhadores rurais expostos aos agrotóxicos organofosforados. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico descritivo com uma amostra de 50 trabalhadores rurais. A faixa etária variou de 21 a 59 anos, média de 38,3 anos, sendo 20 (40 por cento) trabalhadores de sexo masculino e 30 (60 por cento) de sexo feminino. Foi utilizado um questionário com perguntas relacionadas à saúde auditiva e dados sobre tempo de exposição ao agrotóxico. RESULTADOS: os resultados mostraram que 38 trabalhadores (76 por cento) referiram ter apresentado pelo menos um episódio de tontura em sua vida e destes, 29 (58 por cento) trabalhadores ainda sentem tontura; 27 (54 por cento) sentem zumbidos; 23 (46 por cento) sentem a orelha abafada; 37 (74 por cento) acham que possuem boa acuidade auditiva, porém 35 (70 por cento) acham que, sentem dificuldades na compreensão de palavras, sugerindo que os agrotóxicos podem induzir alterações do sistema auditivo e vestibular por meio de uma intoxicação lenta e silenciosa. CONCLUSÃO: a tontura e a perda auditiva aparecem como sintomas subjetivos e constantes da exposição ocupacional podendo ser um sinal precoce da intoxicação, prejudicando a qualidade de vida destes trabalhadores.

PURPOSE: to characterize the auditory and vestibular symptoms of rural workers under an environmental exposed of organophosphate pesticides. METHODS: this is a descriptive epidemic study that evaluated 50 workers. The age group varied from 21 to 59 years with a mean age of 38.3 years. There were 20 (40 percent) male and 30 (60 percent) female workers. A questionnaire was used with questions related to the auditory health in addition to some specific questions on time exposure. RESULTS: the results showed that 38 (76 percent) workers showed dizziness and 29 (58 percent) of them continued showing these symptom; 27 (54 percent) related tinnitus; 23 (46 percent) fullness sensation. 37 (74 percent) workers don't have problem with hearing but 35 (70 percent) can't understand very well the spoken words. Data suggest that the pesticides induce auditory and vestibular system alterations. It is possible to affirm that it is a slow, insidious and silent intoxication. CONCLUSIONS: dizziness and hearing loss are a constant and subclinical symptoms in occupational exposure suggesting a precocious intoxication signal, harming the quality of life of these workers.

O impacto psicológico de um acidente químico ambiental com óleo diesel / El impacto psicológico que el accidente químico ambiental con aceite diesel / The psychological impact caused by an environmental and chemical accident with diesel oil

O acidente ocorrido em Porto das Caixas, Itaboraí/RJ, com o trem que descarrilou e despejou 60 mil litros de óleo diesel em uma região habitada, resultou em impacto ambiental e humano. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o impacto psicológico que o acidente causou na população. A população estudada constituiu-se de 28 pessoas de ambos os sexos expostas ao óleo diesel, com idade entre 18 e 60 anos. O instrumento utilizado na investigação das estratégias de enfrentamento do estresse foi o Inventário de Estratégias de Coping. Foi observado que a estratégia mais utilizada foi fuga e esquiva e a menos utilizada foi a de confronto. O que se constata é que existiu um impacto psicossocial em função do acidente naquela comunidade e que danos oriundos de um evento estressor podem ser observados em momentos diferenciados e seus efeitos prejudiciais podem se estender ao ambiente e à saúde da população do entorno.(AU)

The accident occurred in Porto das Caixas, Itaboraí/RJ with the train that derailed and poured 60 thousand litters of the diesel oil carried in a region, resulted in an environmental and human impact. The aim of this paper was to investigate the psychological impact that the accident caused in the displayed population. 28 people exposed to the diesel oil were investigated (men and women) , between 18 and 60 years. In the inquiry of the coping strategies was observed that the most used strategy was to escape and avoidance and the less most used was confrontation. What was evidenced is that a psychosocial impact caused by the environmental accident in that community existed and that deriving damages of a stressor event can be observed at different moments, being able to have the prolongation of its harmful effect to the environment and the health of the population around.(AU)

El accidente ocurrido en Porto das Caixas, Itaboraí/RJ, con el tren que descarrilló y despejó 60 mil litros de aceite diesel en una región habitada, resultó en impacto ambiental y humano. El principal objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el impacto psicológico que el accidente causó en la población. La población estudada se constituyó de 28 personas de ambos los sexos expuestas al aceite diesel, con edad entre 18 y 60 años. El instrumento utilizado en la investigación de las estrategias de enfrentamiento del estrés fue el Inventario de Estrategias de Coping. Fue observado que la estrategia más utilizada fue la de huir y esquivar y la menos utilizada fue la de confrontar. El que se constata es que existió un impacto psicosocial en función del accidente en aquella comunidad y que daños oriundos de un evento estresor pueden ser observados en momentos diferenciados y sus efectos perjudiciales pueden estenderse al ambiente y a la salud de la población del entorno.(AU)

O impacto psicológico de um acidente químico ambiental com óleo diesel / El impacto psicológico que el accidente químico ambiental con aceite diesel / The psychological impact caused by an environmental and chemical accident with diesel oil

O acidente ocorrido em Porto das Caixas, Itaboraí/RJ, com o trem que descarrilou e despejou 60 mil litros de óleo diesel em uma região habitada, resultou em impacto ambiental e humano. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o impacto psicológico que o acidente causou na população. A população estudada constituiu-se de 28 pessoas de ambos os sexos expostas ao óleo diesel, com idade entre 18 e 60 anos. O instrumento utilizado na investigação das estratégias de enfrentamento do estresse foi o Inventário de Estratégias de Coping. Foi observado que a estratégia mais utilizada foi fuga e esquiva e a menos utilizada foi a de confronto. O que se constata é que existiu um impacto psicossocial em função do acidente naquela comunidade e que danos oriundos de um evento estressor podem ser observados em momentos diferenciados e seus efeitos prejudiciais podem se estender ao ambiente e à saúde da população do entorno.

The accident occurred in Porto das Caixas, Itaboraí/RJ with the train that derailed and poured 60 thousand litters of the diesel oil carried in a region, resulted in an environmental and human impact. The aim of this paper was to investigate the psychological impact that the accident caused in the displayed population. 28 people exposed to the diesel oil were investigated (men and women) , between 18 and 60 years. In the inquiry of the coping strategies was observed that the most used strategy was to escape and avoidance and the less most used was confrontation. What was evidenced is that a psychosocial impact caused by the environmental accident in that community existed and that deriving damages of a stressor event can be observed at different moments, being able to have the prolongation of its harmful effect to the environment and the health of the population around.

El accidente ocurrido en Porto das Caixas, Itaboraí/RJ, con el tren que descarrilló y despejó 60 mil litros de aceite diesel en una región habitada, resultó en impacto ambiental y humano. El principal objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el impacto psicológico que el accidente causó en la población. La población estudada se constituyó de 28 personas de ambos los sexos expuestas al aceite diesel, con edad entre 18 y 60 años. El instrumento utilizado en la investigación de las estrategias de enfrentamiento del estrés fue el Inventario de Estrategias de Coping. Fue observado que la estrategia más utilizada fue la de huir y esquivar y la menos utilizada fue la de confrontar. El que se constata es que existió un impacto psicosocial en función del accidente en aquella comunidad y que daños oriundos de un evento estresor pueden ser observados en momentos diferenciados y sus efectos perjudiciales pueden estenderse al ambiente y a la salud de la población del entorno.

Estudo da ototoxicidade em trabalhadores expostos a organofosforados / Ototoxicity study in workers exposed to organophosphate

A exposição ocupacional e ambiental aos agrotóxicos evidencia-se como um grave problema de Saúde Pública em nosso país. Entre os sintomas apresentados, a tonteira se destaca, em decorrência de uma provável ação tóxica. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo é caracterizar os resultados do exame vestibular de trabalhadores rurais expostos ocupacionalmente e ambientalmente aos agrotóxicos organofosforados. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte com corte transversal em 18 trabalhadores rurais de Teresópolis, RJ. A faixa etária variou de 16 a 59 anos com uma média de 39,6 anos, sendo 5 trabalhadores do sexo masculino e 13 do sexo feminino. Foram utilizados três questionários com perguntas relacionadas à saúde geral e auditiva e perguntas específicas à tonteira e suas relações com o trabalho. Todos os trabalhadores passaram por uma avaliação clínica e realizaram os exames vectoeletronistagmografia e audiometria. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que 16 trabalhadores apresentaram alterações do equilíbrio corporal de tipo periférico irritativo e 7 trabalhadores apresentaram perdas auditivas do tipo neurossensorial, sugerindo que os agrotóxicos induzem alterações do sistema vestibular através de uma intoxicação lenta e silenciosa. CONCLUSÕES: O olhar clínico sobre esta população exposta a substâncias neuro-ototóxicas requer uma abordagem interdisciplinar, assegurando uma intervenção terapêutica e preventiva eficaz.

Occupational and environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides represent an important health care problem in our country. Among the symptoms presented, dizziness stands out, because of a probable toxic action. AIM: The goal of our study was to characterize vestibular test results from rural workers occupationally and environmentally exposed to organophosphates used in agricultural pesticides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a cohort cross-sectional study with 18 rural workers from Teresópolis, RJ. Age ranged between 16 and 59 years, with a mean value of 39.6 years, 5 were males and 13 females. We used three questionnaires with questions associated with general and auditory health, and more specific questions about dizziness and its association with work. All workers underwent clinical evaluation, audiometry and vectoelectronystagmography. RESULTS: results showed that 16 workers had irritative peripheral body balance disorder and 7 workers had sensorineural hearing loss, thus suggesting that agricultural pesticides cause vestibular alterations through a slow and silent intoxication. CONCLUSIONS: medical care for this population exposed to neurotoxic substances require an interdisciplinary approach, to guarantee efficient preventive and therapeutic measures.

Ototoxicity study in workers exposed to organophosphate.

UNLABELLED: Occupational and environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides represent an important health care problem in our country. Among the symptoms presented, dizziness stands out, because of a probable toxic action. AIM: The goal of our study was to characterize vestibular test results from rural workers occupationally and environmentally exposed to organophosphates used in agricultural pesticides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a cohort cross-sectional study with 18 rural workers from Teresópolis, RJ. Age ranged between 16 and 59 years, with a mean value of 39.6 years, 5 were males and 13 females. We used three questionnaires with questions associated with general and auditory health, and more specific questions about dizziness and its association with work. All workers underwent clinical evaluation, audiometry and vectoelectronystagmography. RESULTS: Results showed that 16 workers had irritative peripheral body balance disorder and 7 workers had sensorineural hearing loss, thus suggesting that agricultural pesticides cause vestibular alterations through a slow and silent intoxication. CONCLUSIONS: Medical care for this population exposed to neurotoxic substances require an interdisciplinary approach, to guarantee efficient preventive and therapeutic measures.

Redemoinhos teóricos: saúde, ambiente e desenvolvimento sustentável / Theoretical whirlwinds: health, environment and sustainable development

Questões como avanços da ciência e da tecnologia modificaram o padrão de vida, os níveis de saúde e a expectativa de vida de parcelas da população. Como conseqüências negativas deste desenvolvimento, observa-se um aumento de situações ambientais potencialmente causadoras de doenças e acidentes. A partir deste cenário, os autores realizam uma discussão sobre o desenvolvimento sustentável nestas relações entre o ambiente e a saúde.