IMPACTOS DA POLUIÇÃO POR MERCÚRIO NA PREVALÊNCIA DE DOENÇAS E NÍVEIS DE BIOMARCADORES DE EXPOSIÇÃO EM COMUNIDADES RIBEIRINHAS DE ITACOATIARA, BACIA DO RIO NEGRO – AM

ABSTRACT The research project aims to investigate how mercury exposure affects the health of riverside communities in Itacoatiara, located in the Rio Negro Basin, Amazonas. The study seeks to fill a knowledge gap, as there are few studies that directly link mercury exposure levels to specific diseases observed in these populations. To achieve this, the study will combine the quantification of mercury in biological samples (blood and urine) with the analysis of neurological, renal, and gastrointestinal disorders through questionnaires and clinical evaluations. The methodology will be observational and cross-sectional, including the collection of socioeconomic data and dietary habits, with an emphasis on fish consumption, which is a likely source of mercury exposure. The data will be analyzed to establish correlations between mercury levels and clinical symptoms. The research findings are crucial for the development of more effective environmental health policies, surveillance programs, and educational strategies for the communities, helping to reduce environmental and health risks for the Amazonian population. Keywords: Biomarkers; Riverside communities; Illegal mining; Prevalence; Public health.