Unexpected High Blood Lead Levels in a Remote Indigenous Community in the Northeastern Peruvian Amazon.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies suggest that Pb-based ammunition could be an important route of Pb exposure for Indigenous Peoples in tropical rainforests. We analyzed blood lead levels (BLL) and isotopic signatures in 111 humans, 97 wild animals, 81 fish, and potential environmental Pb sources in an Indigenous community in the remote and well-preserved Peruvian Amazon with no history of industrial activity. Median BLL was 11.74 μg dL^-1, with BLL ≥ 5 µg dL^-1 in 95.8% children <12-yo and 94.5% adults. Pb concentrations in wild animals were 7.00 ± 22.40 mg kg^-1 DW in liver, 0.06 ± 0.09 mg kg^-1 DW in fish muscle tissues, 17.1 ± 10.8 mg kg^-1 in soils and 3.4-3.8 mg L^-1 in the main river, although 0.43-0.53 mg L^-1 were the Pb levels in

SUBMITTER: Mayor P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12567903 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature