A haunting image captures the final moments of a seven-year-old boy who died after climbing a mound of limestone flour, a common building material left by the side of the road.
Arthur Emanuel Bitencourt was seen showing a double thumbs up while playing on the pile, which poisoned him after accidentally inhaling particles of the powder.
The little boy was rushed to hospital on August 3 after inhaling the toxic dust but was tragically pronounced dead on arrival.
His heartbroken family shared the image of the boy in the limestone powder minutes before his death to warn others of the dangers.
The boy’s uncle shared the picture, adding: “The memories I will have of you my dear child will always be the best.”
This picture was taken just moments before Arthur died from inhaling the poisonous powder
Arthur’s family reportedly said they were unaware of the dangers of the toxic dust. In the picture: The seven-year-old with his mother Marlene
The boy’s heartbroken uncle shared the image to warn others about the dangers of limestone powder
According to Brazilian newspaper Jornal Razao, Arthur jumped into the toxic material near his family’s estate in Ipiranga, Parana, in southern Brazil.
After the boy was pronounced dead on the way to hospital, doctors reportedly determined the cause of death was inhalation of the powder.
His devastated uncle Romaldo Bitencourt shared his nephew’s final moments on Facebook, as Arthur’s family claimed they were unaware of the dangers posed by the powder.
“This photo was taken minutes before his tragic death from limestone inhalation while playing,” he said. “The memories of you, my love, will always be the most beautiful.”
“We thank GOD for bringing Arthur into our lives as a sweetheart who stayed with us for seven years, one month and ten days,” he said in a separate post.
“Life is like a moving train, but our dear and beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson lands at the beginning of the journey.”
Tributes for the boy flocked to him after his sad death, and a woman who appeared to be a friend of Arthur’s mother said: “May God comfort the heart of the whole family now, you will always be in our hearts Arthur! “
“Yesterday was a day of great joy that will stay in Luiz’s heart forever, and today God wanted you to be near him!” she said, alongside a picture of the child enjoying a birthday party.
Arthur pictured with his uncle Romaldo, who said after the seven-year-old’s death: “The memories of you, my dear, will always be the best.”
His uncle shared in another post that despite the tragedy, he felt gratitude for the seven years the boy had, describing him as a “sweetheart.”
Limestone powder is commonly used in construction and safety standards require workers to wear face masks, protective clothing, gloves and goggles when handling it
The substance is commonly used in construction to make materials such as brick, cement, and concrete.
Workers wear face masks around the substance when it’s used in construction, and safety standards require it to be handled with gloves, goggles and protective clothing.
Authorities warn that inhalation can cause serious lung problems, as well as cancer, skin irritation and eye damage.
Symptoms of harmful exposure to the powder include decreased lung function, shortness of breath, and persistent cough.
Farmers can also use it to treat their soil and increase crop yields, and there was a large tractor in the background of the photo of Arthur playing in the dust.
Police launched an investigation into the boy’s death and he was buried the day after he jumped into the pile of powder.