PT12 Methods in Risk Assessment
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Tuesday, 11 November 2003
(PT203) Risk Evaluation for the Human Health in People Living in the Vicinity of Canoas River, Brazil.
Paiva, A1, Soares, C1, 1 Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
ABSTRACT- Pulp and paper mill effluent contains a complex mixture of compounds that adversely affect aquatic wildlife physiologically and at their population levels. Recent reports have suggested that background levels of industrial chemicals and other environmental pollutants may play a role in the development of breast cancer in women and decreased male reproductive success, as well as the reproductive failures of some wildlife species. The aims of this work were to identify and evaluate changes in serum enzymes in adult humans presenting cancer and living in the vicinity of a pulp and paper mill, and to verify if there was a correlation with the blood organochlorine level. The data were obtained using questionnaires; 74 people were interviewed; participants were asked questions on lifestyle, cancer site, diet and relationship with the river into which industrial effluent is discharged. The sites of cancer reported were the prostate, breast, ovary, uterus and lung, and individuals, grouped by cancer type, were evaluated for some biochemical parameters including serum *-GT, cholinesterase, acid and alkaline phosphatase and antioxidant defenses. Excess risks were identified for all kind of cancers in all individuals; all of them had been exposed to polluted river water, and ate fish collected in the same region. All the evaluated serum enzymes were present at higher levels and antioxidant defenses were lower. Supported by CNPq
Key words: human health, pulp and paper, organochlorine, cancer