Global Burden of Disease of Mercury Used in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining

Steckling, Nadine; Tobollik, Myriam; Plaß, Dietrich; Hornberg, Claudia; Ericson, Bret; Fuller, Richard; Blüml, Stephan

doi:10.1016/j.aogh.2016.12.005

Cited by 109 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 48 publications

(62 reference statements)

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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%

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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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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“…Mercury poisoning is a tremendous burden to human health, especially in ASGM communities . Mercury gas, such as that encountered in ASGM amalgam processing, is readily absorbed in the lungs and then further transported to other organs .…”

Section: Health and Ecological Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With recent estimates indicating there are as many as 19 million artisanal gold miners, mercury use and emissions in ASGM is clearly a global health problem …”

Section: Health and Ecological Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With that said, we emphasize that interdisciplinary collaboration is required for any solution to be effectively implemented. This includes taking into account the extensive efforts of environmental scientists, geologists, and public health and environmental advocates in assessing the scope and severity of the mercury problem in ASGM ,. It also means working with the formalized mining sector to help adapt mercury‐free technology and resource management strategies for use in ASGM .…”

Section: Challenges and Opportunities For Chemistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Mercury Problem in Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining

Esdaile

Chalker

2018

Chemistry A European J

304

177

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Mercury‐dependent artisanal and small‐scale gold mining (ASGM) is the largest source of mercury pollution on Earth. In this practice, elemental mercury is used to extract gold from ore as an amalgam. The amalgam is typically isolated by hand and then heated—often with a torch or over a stove—to distill the mercury and isolate the gold. Mercury release from tailings and vaporized mercury exceed 1000 tonnes each year from ASGM. The health effects on the miners are dire, with inhaled mercury leading to neurological damage and other health issues. The communities near these mines are also affected due to mercury contamination of water and soil and subsequent accumulation in food staples, such as fish—a major source of dietary protein in many ASGM regions. The risks to children are also substantial, with mercury emissions from ASGM resulting in both physical and mental disabilities and compromised development. Between 10 and 19 million people use mercury to mine for gold in more than 70 countries, making mercury pollution from ASGM a global issue. With the Minamata Convention on Mercury entering force this year, there is political motivation to help overcome the problem of mercury in ASGM. In this effort, chemists can play a central role. Here, the problem of mercury in ASGM is reviewed with a discussion on how the chemistry community can contribute solutions. Introducing portable and low‐cost mercury sensors, inexpensive and scalable remediation technologies, novel methods to prevent mercury uptake in fish and food crops, and efficient and easy‐to‐use mercury‐free mining techniques are all ways in which the chemistry community can help. To meet these challenges, it is critical that new technologies or techniques are low‐cost and adaptable to the remote and under‐resourced areas in which ASGM is most common. The problem of mercury pollution in ASGM is inherently a chemistry problem. We therefore encourage the chemistry community to consider and address this issue that affects the health of millions of people.

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Global Impact of Chemicals and Toxic Substances on Human Health and the Environment

Adeola¹

2020

Handbook of Global Health

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This chapter addresses the global impacts of heterogenous chemicals and toxic substances on human health and the environment. Chemicals and hazardous substances are ubiquitous in every nook and cranny of society across the globe. The challenges facing the scientific community in documenting the number and variety of chemicals, and hazardous products that are manufactured, available on the market, and in use as well as the disease burden associated with them are discussed. The chapter addresses the chemicals, hazardous substances of global public health concern, including air pollution, inorganic substances especially heavy metals, and synthetic organic compounds such as the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and pesticides. Gaseous elements, acids and bases are also covered. Major sources of releases into the environment and routes of exposure and the consequences for exposed population's health and well-being are addressed. The estimated Global Burden of Disease (GBD), Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and economic loss associated with selected chemical

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Global Burden of Disease of Mercury Used in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining

Cited by 109 publications

References 48 publications

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

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

The Mercury Problem in Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining

Global Impact of Chemicals and Toxic Substances on Human Health and the Environment

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