INTRODUCTION: Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal and the children represent the most susceptible subgroup of the population. For this reason, reference value of mercury concentrations in non-exposed populations is relevant for the composition of control groups in epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVE: Establishment to mercury reference values in children's blood in the urban site. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sectional study has been carried out on mercury concentration in blood of 220 school children 8 to 10 years old, both male and female, from two public schools in Rio de Janeiro. Two questionnaires were applied and blood samples collected. Blood mercury content analysis has been undertaken by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mann-Whitney Nonparametric test has been used for statistical data analysis. RESULTS: The arithmetic mean, geometric mean and median of total mercury concentration in blood based were respectively 0.89, 0.51 and 0.71 µg/L. These outcomes can be used as reference values for populations exposed to mercury impacted areas and are compatible with others international inquires and below the limits suggested for non-exposed populations by the World Health Organization.
mercury; children; blood; reference standards; monitoring