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182 Nuclear Science and Technology | Progress Report
optimize the metabolic pathways that these
minerals are involved in. Besides, dietary
element supplementation can result in an
improvement in athletic performance. These
facts have resulted in an increase in the num-
ber of brands and types of multivitamins or
mineral supplements as well as dietary pro-
teins available in the market, which makes
quality control of these products a subject of
great concern to government entities respon-
sible for the general health of the population. ipalities of Chapada de Natividade and Porto
In this study, dietary supplements acquired
in pharmacies and drugstores in São Paulo
city were analyzed by neutron activation
analysis. Concentrations of As, Br, Ca, Co,
Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Na, Sb, Sc Se and Zn were
determined. From these results of element
concentrations, it was possible to calculate
the data to be used to compare with product
label values. These comparisons indicated,
in general, a good agreement of the data
obtained and the values of the product la-
bel depending on the supplement. Daily in-
take of these supplements was calculated as
per consumption instructions stated on the
product labels. According to the technical
regulation of nutritional labeling of foods
and dietary supplements in Brazil, there is a
legal tolerance of ± 20% of the declared nu-
trient quantities on the label. Multivitamin
supplements showed amounts of elements
within the legislation, unlike dietary sup-
plement proteins for athletes that presented
several elements with quantities outside the
tolerable level.
The findings of this study suggest a careful
evaluation of nutritional supplements avail-
able in the market. The study also showed
that NAA can provide important information
about the composition of minerals present
in supplements and, this technique can be
used as a control of supplement composition.
Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares
Evaluation Of Mercury Levels In Hair
Of Children Residents In Garimpo
Area On The City Of Chapada
de Natividade – Tocantins
The objective of the work is to evaluate the
mercury exposure of children living in the ar-
tisanal gold mining area and in a control area,
without mining. A cross-sectional study was
conducted with children living in the munic-
Nacional, in the State of Tocantins, where hair
samples were collected for laboratorial anal-
ysis of mercury concentrations, comparing
between municipalities, gender, monthly fish
consumption, profession of parents and the
presence of amalgam in dental restorations
(Fig. 27 and 28). The participating children
were selected from information registered
in the cadastre of the service of basic health
assistance of Brazil (SUS).The chosen age range
was of children from 5 to 6 years, with the aim
of not including older children, which might
be already submitted to work in the artisanal
gold mining activities. The hair samples were
analyzed by the methods of neutron activation
analysis and also by means of the DMA (Direct
Mercury Analyzer) equipment, in the last case
in partnership with CETESB. There was no
evidence of mercury-related diseases in the
Fig 27. Preparation of fish samples from Natividade,
in the state of Tocantins, for mercury analysis.