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Abstract
Objective: To present results of the clinical, epidemiological, and environmental assessment of collective metallic mercury poisoning in Santa Bárbara d'Oeste (São Paulo), and the individual and environmental measures for exposure control, individual treatments, and mitigation. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on the initial definition of the exposed group, using inclusion and exclusion criteria based on a symptom questionnaire and urine mercury levels. Results: Forty-six people, including children, adolescents, and adults, suffered inhalation to elemental mercury. The CIATox in Campinas and the municipal and state health surveillance agencies were activated, and a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional team was formed to diagnose cases and control environmental contamination. Of the 46 exposed individuals, 13% were between 0 and 5 years of age, with five children presenting moderate to severe signs and symptoms of poisoning and four with high concentrations of Hg in their urine (3291.1, 186.8, 330.3, and 85.9 µg/gC). Of the total exposed, 28 (60.8%) underwent chelation treatment with good results. Four homes were closed due to high indoor contamination, with residents allowed to return after one year. Conclusion: Clinical advice, surveillance and environmental control actions developed immediately based on the diagnosis of the index case minimized the harmful effects of the accident.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Eduardo Mello De Capitani, Edson Haddad, Miriã Tonus Oliveira , Luisa Sarti , Carla Fernanda Borrasca-Fernandes , Denise Piccirillo B. da Veiga, Déborah Fabiana da Rocha , Camila Carbone Prado , Wilson Guarda , Lidiane Raquel Verola Mataveli , Edna Kumagai Arakaki , Jerenice Esdras Ferreira , Janete Alaburda , Farida Conceição Pereira , Ailton Catreus de Freitas , Thiago Salomão de Azevedo , Cristiane Maria Tranquillini Rezende