Possible adverse effects of mining activity on the neurocognitive development of children in the area of Cerro de Pasco (Perú)

Over the last 10 years there have been a number of studies examining the effects of exposure to environmental metal pollution on the population of the area of Cerro de Pasco (Peru). These have documented the prolonged pollution of the area caused by mining activity and recorded its pathological effects on the exposed population. The present work reports associations between the concentrations of metals in the hair of the area's children and their cognitive development, investigates the neurocognitive effects of exposure, and examines the change in environmental metal concentrations over time. Significant differences in hair metal concentrations were detected between exposed (case) and non-exposed (control) populations; in the former, the mean arsenic concentration was three times that of the latter, the cadmium concentration was double, and that of lead six times that of the latter. The mean total IQ of the exposed children was 12.3 points lower than those who were not exposed. Significant correlations were detected between the lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese and antimony concentrations of the children's (combined exposed and non-exposed) hair and TIQ. In the exposed population, marked increases in hair metal concentrations were recorded between 2016 and 2018 (200%), later falling by 2021 (though still exceeding the 2016 concentrations). Multivariate analyses involving big data are required to determine the covariables that influence the development of TIQ in exposed children, and to determine whether high toxic metal concentrations are an independent risk factor for cognitive deficit. • Children in Cerro de Pasco (Peru) are exposed to high levels of toxic metals due to mining activity. • Exposed children had significantly higher concentrations of arsenic (×3), cadmium (×2), and lead (×6) compared to controls. • Mean total IQ was 12.3 points lower in exposed children. • Significant correlations were found between IQ and hair concentrations of lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese, and antimony. • Metal concentrations in hair increased by 200% from 2016 to 2018, with a partial decline by 2021. • Multivariate big data analyses are needed to assess toxic metals as independent risk factors for cognitive deficits.