Exposure to Mercury in Workers and the Population Surrounding Gold Mining Areas in the Mojana Region, Colombia

Díaz, Sonia M.; Muñoz-Guerrero, Maria Nathalia; Palma-Parra, Marien; Becerra-Arias, Carolina; Fernández-Niño, Julián Alfredo

doi:10.3390/ijerph15112337

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…25,27 These characteristics may increase the likelihood of exposure as a result of limited awareness of the dangers of Hg use and limited available protective measures and inability to afford personal protective equipment. 5,28 Nearly a third (27%) of the miners were female. Female active involvement in ASGM activities is likely to increase exposure of Hg to children living in these communities.…”

Section: Similar To Findings In Studies Table 4 -Crude and Adjusted Amentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mercury Exposure Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Four Regions in Uganda

Wanyana¹,

Agaba²,

Sekimpi³

et al. 2020

Journal of Health and Pollution

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Background. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is a human health concern, especially in low-income countries like Uganda due to the use of mercury (Hg) in the mining process. Objective. The aim of the present study was to assess Hg exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Uganda through biologic monitoring parameters and Hg-related clinical manifestations. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2018 among 183 miners from Ibanda (Western region), Mubende (Central region), Amudat (Karamoja region) and Busia (Eastern region) in Uganda. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and health assessment were used to collect socio-demographic, exposure and self-reported Hg poisoning symptoms. In addition, 41 urine, 41 blood and 26 environment samples were assessed. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for comparison of Hg levels in urine and blood among miners were performed while logistic regression was used to assess associations between exposure and Hg poisoning-related symptoms. Results: The miners ranged from 15 to 65 years old and were primarily male (72.6%). The majority (73.3%) had worked directly with Hg for an average duration of 5.3 years. Symptoms associated with working directly with Hg included chest pain (odds ratio (OR)=9.0, confidence interval (CI)=3.3 to 24.6), numbness (OR=8.5, CI=2.1 to 34.4), back pain (OR=6.2, CI= 2.2 to 17.5), fatigue and stress (OR=5.4, 2.0 to CI=14.9), headache (OR=4.7, CI=1.9 to 11.3), dizziness (OR=3.8, CI=1.5 to 9.7) joint pain (OR=3.2, CI=1.3 to 8.3) and respiratory problems (3.2, 1.0 to 10.1). Statistically significant differences in Hg levels with p-values less than 0.05 were observed across district, gender and type of work. Mubende had the highest blood and urine levels (136 μg/l and 105.5 μg/l) in comparison with Busia (60 μg/l and 70.6 μg/l) and Ibanda (43 μg/l and 58 μg/l). Females (84.7 μg/l), panners (109 μg/l) and those with knowledge of occupational health and safety measures (95.6 μg/l) reported higher levels of Hg in urine. The average levels of Hg in water and soil samples were 23.79 μg/l and 0.21 μg/l, respectively. Conclusions. Variation in Hg levels were attributed to varied duration of exposure across geographical sites. There was considerable exposure to Hg as indicated by both clinical manifestations and biologic parameters among miners in Uganda with Hg in urine exceeding the recommended thresholds. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. Ethical approval was obtained from the Makerere University School of Health Science Institutional Review Board (reference number SHSREC REF 2018–2019) and Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (reference number SS 4577) Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Section: Similar To Findings In Studies Table 4 -Crude and Adjusted Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…15 Although previous research has indicated Hg use among miners in Uganda, little is known about the level of exposures and whether the miners have experienced Hg poisoningrelated symptoms. 15 The present study sought to assess Hg exposure among miners in Uganda through biologic monitoring parameters and Hg-related clinical manifestations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Exposure Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Four Regions in Uganda

Wanyana¹,

Agaba²,

Sekimpi³

et al. 2020

Journal of Health and Pollution

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“…The questionnaire was administered by health professionals who did not know the study participants or their exposure levels and who were trained in the use of the instrument. Additional details about the methodology are found in a previous publication [19].…”

Section: Data Collection Instruments and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with High Mercury Levels in Women and Girls from The Mojana Region, Colombia, 2013–2015

Díaz¹,

Palma²,

Muñoz³

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Women are primarily exposed to mercury through the consumption of fish contaminated by gold mining activities. The main systems affected are the central nervous and renal systems, although effects on the reproductive system have also been found. Objective: To explore the relationship between mercury levels in women and their possible sources of contamination. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2015 with women residing in 11 municipalities in La Mojana, Colombia, using non-random sampling. Standardized instruments were used to identify sociodemographic characteristics, mercury use, mining-related activities, water and fish consumption, and other factors. Blood, urine, and hair samples were taken to quantify mercury levels. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with elevated mercury values in the participants’ samples. A total of 428 women were included, with an average age of 36.7 ± 16.7 years, 3.3% of whom were pregnant at the time of the survey and 8.4% of whom were exposed occupationally. High levels of mercury were present in 62.8% of the women, in any one of the three samples processed. Those exposed occupationally and environmentally had similar values (p = 0.821). Frequency of fish consumption and source of drinking water were associated with higher levels of mercury (p < 0.05).

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“…is prevalence reported is in comparative with rates ranging from 20.4% to 75.0% for lead [9][10][11][12] and 15.0% to 72% elsewhere [11,[13][14][15]. is possible reason for such variation could be attributed to different setting, cultural context, and environment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is possible that the release of mercury vapor during the amalgamation process may have induced the poisoning. Many studies reported that amalgamation process and duration of work/exposure were significant risk factors for the elevation of blood mercury level [14,15,17]. e released mercury vapors possess environmental threat affecting the workers and other population living around them [18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead and Mercury Exposure and Related Health Problems in Metal Artisan Workplaces and High-Risk Household Contacts in Thimphu, Bhutan

Monger

Wangdi

2020

The Scientific World Journal

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Background. Metal artisans have been using lead and mercury in their settings for centuries. Exposure to these toxic heavy metals causes adverse health effects. We assessed the occupational exposure of metal artisans and their high-risk household contacts at Thimphu, Bhutan. Methods. A cross-sectional study in which 134 metal artisan center employees and 48 high-risk household contacts were tested for blood lead and mercury levels. Sociodemographic data, occupational exposure risk factors, and clinical syndrome related to lead and mercury exposure were further obtained and analyzed using EpiInfo 7.0. Results. The mean age of the metal artisan center employees was 36.02 ± 10.3. The prevalence of elevated blood lead and mercury level was 38.4% and 51.9%, respectively. Significantly higher prevalence of mercury level was observed among the artisans compared to nonartisans (66.97 vs, 16.0). Among three centers, the goldsmith section of the Department of National Properties had the highest (94.1%). Profession as an artisan, mold designing, performing gold amalgamation, working for >8 hours a day, working for >5 years, and working at home were significant risk factors associated with elevated blood mercury level. Significant association was observed between elevated mercury level and complaints of burning or watery eyes (p=0.001), anxiety, nervousness, irritability, severe shyness (p=0.029), muscle aches (p=0.019), and stomach cramps or pain (p=0.009). Conclusion. The prevalence of elevated blood mercury level is concerning among the artisans. Advocacy, proper usage of personal protective equipment, awareness on chemical safety, and hazard associated with lead and mercury usage are needed to minimize the exposure.

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Exposure to Mercury in Workers and the Population Surrounding Gold Mining Areas in the Mojana Region, Colombia

Cited by 15 publications

References 23 publications

Mercury Exposure Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Four Regions in Uganda

Mercury Exposure Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Four Regions in Uganda

Factors Associated with High Mercury Levels in Women and Girls from The Mojana Region, Colombia, 2013–2015

Lead and Mercury Exposure and Related Health Problems in Metal Artisan Workplaces and High-Risk Household Contacts in Thimphu, Bhutan

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