![]() Amalgam burning often occurs without a retort or other Hg-capturing device, though efforts are being undertaken by groups such as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Global Mercury Partnership, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and non-governmental organizations to encourage miners to mitigate Hg emissions. This amalgam is subsequently heated, which concentrates the gold and releases gaseous elemental Hg (GEM Hg 0) into the atmosphere. In ASGM, liquid elemental Hg is added to sediment or ores to isolate gold. The international Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force in 2017 with Article 7 specifically directed at Hg releases from ASGM. However, little is known about the fate of these atmospheric Hg emissions and patterns of deposition and accumulation across ASGM-impacted landscapes. This use of enormous quantities of Hg in ASGM has shifted the major emission source of atmospheric Hg from the Global North to the Global South, with consequences for patterns in Hg fate, transport, and exposure. ![]() An estimated 675–1000 tons Hg yr −1 are volatilized and emitted to the atmosphere globally from ASGM operations 7. Many intensive ASGM sites are within global biodiversity hotspots and lead to decreased diversity 8, loss of sensitive species 9, and high exposure of Hg in both people 10, 11, 12 and top predators 13, 14. While ASGM is an important livelihood for local communities, it results in widespread deforestation 2, 3, extensive conversion of forests to ponds 4, high sediment loading in nearby rivers 5, 6, and is the largest global source of atmospheric mercury (Hg) emissions and freshwater Hg releases 7. This form of gold mining occurs in over 70 countries, is frequently either informal or illegal, and accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s gold production 1. However, there should be a continual monitoring since there is the likelihood that the concentrations may increase to levels that could pose health threat.A growing challenge to tropical forested ecosystems is artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Although, the results indicate elevated internal dose of mercury in the miner, the current levels do not appear to pose a significant health threat to the miner. ![]() We found that the total mercury accumulated by the individuals was independent of age but correlated positively and significantly (p = 0.05) with the duration of stay in the occupation. The mean total mercury concentration of the urine samples was 6.967☐.055 μg/L with a range of 2.589-12.009 μg/L which is lower than the WHO guideline value for urine mercury concentration of 50.00 μg/L. Some individuals recorded concentrations which are above the WHO safety limit of 10.000 μg/g above which adverse health effects may occur. The hair samples recorded a mean of 6.591☐.006 μg/g and a range of 1.982 – 15.966 μg/g. The mean total mercury of the nails of the miners was 3.323 ± 0.36μg/g and a range of 0.387 – 12.688 μg/g. In this study, total mercury concentrations in scalp hair, urine and finger nails of thirty-six (36) miners were determined to ascertain the extent of mercury exposure among the individuals. In the extraction process, the resultant amalgam is roasted where mercury vapour is released and inhaled by the individuals within the vicinity. Title: Mercury exposure among miners in an artisanal gold mining community in Ashanti Region of GhanaĪuthors and Affiliations: Edward Ebow Kwaansa-Ansah1, Osei Akoto1, Niladri Basu2ġDepartment of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaĢDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USAĪbstract: Amansie West District of the Ashanti region is rich in gold deposits hence surface mining is the most important economic activity in which mercury is largely employed.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |