Introduction:

In the contexts of armed conflict, activities converge that can potentially produce heavy metal toxicity; including many victims of improvised explosive devices carry internalised residual shrapnel, of unknown composition and potential toxicity. This has been little studied.

Objective:

To describe the biological levels of lead and mercury in civilian survivors of the Bojayá massacre, their possible current exposure, as well as signs and symptoms compatible with chronic toxicity.

Methodology:

Descriptive observational study, serial type th 13 cases. Results: 38.46 % of the cases had blood lead levels above or close to the upper limit value, with no specific sources identified. 46.15 % had mercury levels above or close to the reference limit, and were considered environmental exposure from regional gold mining. Clinical toxicological assessment showed clinical signs and symptoms potentially associated with chronic metal toxicity.

Conclusion:

There was a presence of explosive ordnance residues in individuals with findings suggestive of lead or mercury toxicity, without a direct and specific relationship between the two; some cases suggest environmental exposure for mercury, and projectile exposure for lead, related to the dynamics of the armed conflict. Further studies are needed to affirm the existence of causal associations.

        · resumen en Español | Portugués     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )