Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in Brazil

Abstract Coal mining and the subsequent burning of coal release waste products that can accumulate in the environment and pose a threat to human health. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate hepatic damage by bilirubin, ALP, ALT, and GGT among men from the largest coal mining region of Brazil. A cr...

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Main Authors: Júlia Oliveira Penteado, Marina Dos Santos, Paula Florencio Ramires, Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-03-01
Series:Discover Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00490-0
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author Júlia Oliveira Penteado
Marina Dos Santos
Paula Florencio Ramires
Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior
author_facet Júlia Oliveira Penteado
Marina Dos Santos
Paula Florencio Ramires
Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior
author_sort Júlia Oliveira Penteado
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Coal mining and the subsequent burning of coal release waste products that can accumulate in the environment and pose a threat to human health. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate hepatic damage by bilirubin, ALP, ALT, and GGT among men from the largest coal mining region of Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven municipalities in Brazil's largest coal mining region. Participants were male individuals (n = 320) residing in these municipalities, with varying degrees of exposure to coal mining activities. Socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle, and health information were collected, along with blood samples for measuring liver function markers: bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Despite the population's average liver function markers falling within the reference range, approximately half of the participants exhibited signs of altered liver function. The municipality at the center of coal mining activities showed the highest levels of liver function markers (except for gamma-glutamyltransferase), with nearly half of its residents exhibiting evidence of liver damage. Socioeconomic status and mate consumption were found to be significantly inversely correlated with liver damage. Additionally, individuals who smoked had a significantly higher risk of developing liver problems. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to address the health impacts of environmental pollutants associated with coal mining. Preventive measures and regulatory policies are crucial to protect public health in regions affected by this industry.
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spelling doaj-art-eb6377e6ef594766ac664c8a970608022025-08-20T03:41:46ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-03-012211910.1186/s12982-025-00490-0Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in BrazilJúlia Oliveira Penteado0Marina Dos Santos1Paula Florencio Ramires2Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior3Universidade da Fronteira Sul – UFFSUniversidade Federal do PampaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Testes Farmacológicos e Toxicológicos - LEFTUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Testes Farmacológicos e Toxicológicos - LEFTAbstract Coal mining and the subsequent burning of coal release waste products that can accumulate in the environment and pose a threat to human health. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate hepatic damage by bilirubin, ALP, ALT, and GGT among men from the largest coal mining region of Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven municipalities in Brazil's largest coal mining region. Participants were male individuals (n = 320) residing in these municipalities, with varying degrees of exposure to coal mining activities. Socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle, and health information were collected, along with blood samples for measuring liver function markers: bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Despite the population's average liver function markers falling within the reference range, approximately half of the participants exhibited signs of altered liver function. The municipality at the center of coal mining activities showed the highest levels of liver function markers (except for gamma-glutamyltransferase), with nearly half of its residents exhibiting evidence of liver damage. Socioeconomic status and mate consumption were found to be significantly inversely correlated with liver damage. Additionally, individuals who smoked had a significantly higher risk of developing liver problems. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to address the health impacts of environmental pollutants associated with coal mining. Preventive measures and regulatory policies are crucial to protect public health in regions affected by this industry.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00490-0HepatotoxicityLiver injuryAdultsFossil fuelsEnvironment pollution
spellingShingle Júlia Oliveira Penteado
Marina Dos Santos
Paula Florencio Ramires
Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior
Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in Brazil
Discover Public Health
Hepatotoxicity
Liver injury
Adults
Fossil fuels
Environment pollution
title Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in Brazil
title_full Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in Brazil
title_fullStr Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in Brazil
title_short Hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in Brazil
title_sort hepatic damage in residents of a major coal mining region in brazil
topic Hepatotoxicity
Liver injury
Adults
Fossil fuels
Environment pollution
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00490-0
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