The exposure and toxic effects of mercury in gold mining activities

Asian Journal of Health Sciences Pub Date : 2019-02-25 DOI:10.15419/AJHS.V5I1.443

Lina Eltaib, S. Ali, hind rikabi

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引用次数: 2

Abstract

Background: Mercury is used by artisanal — small-scale (ASM) gold miners throughout the World. In 2014, the Sudanese government produced over 60 tons of gold, which make Sudan ranked Africa's third-largest gold miner. Also, Sudan is ranked the 15th global producer. In 2015, over 1 million miners participated in gold mining and extraction. Objective: This study aimed to determine mercury health risk in Sudanese traditional gold mining activities area. Method: This is an analytical cross-sectional observational stud. The studied population was from ALTWAHEN near ABUHAMED. Urine analysis was supported by epidemiological questionnaires designed by (EPI INFO software) following WHO guidelines. Eighty-six respondents completed the questionnaire. The mercury level was determined in 58 urine sample by Petroleum Laboratories Using Direct Mercury Analyzer DMA- 80 instrument. The epidemiological data were analyzed by (EPI INFO). Result: 98% exceed concentration of 100 ug/L which contaminated concentration for occasionally exposed, mean urinary mercury concentration 2785 ug/L, the highest mercury concentration worldwide reported by our study 10250 ug/L, Symptoms in 58 patient showed as Problem finding correct word 46.6%, memory problem 27.6%, problem with thinking clearly 29.3%, nervousness 31%, sadness 46.5%, sexual problem 36.2%, headache 51.7%, excessive salivation 43%, drowsy 48.3%. Conclusion: In this study, the highest urinary mercury concentration was reported (10250 ug/L) compared to other studies. Mercury concentration with no significant difference between the miner groups and others. Also, this study found high incidents of neurological symptoms associated with neurotoxicity. The problem with thinking significantly correlated to the age weighted by mercury concentration. Only tremor significantly related to the time living in the mining area. Otherwise, no significant relationship between mercury concentration ,symptoms and time living in the area. Recommendation: conducting Interventional study by using chelation therapy, Gold miners should use safety tools, Activation of laws and conventions (MINAMATA convention).

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金矿开采活动中汞的暴露和毒性影响

背景:世界各地的小规模(ASM)淘金者都在使用汞。2014年，苏丹政府生产了60多吨黄金，这使苏丹成为非洲第三大金矿国。此外，苏丹在全球生产国中排名第15位。2015年，参与金矿开采和开采的矿工超过100万人。目的:本研究旨在确定苏丹传统金矿开采活动区汞的健康风险。方法:这是一项分析性横断面观察性研究。研究人群来自阿布哈默德附近的阿尔特瓦恩。尿液分析由EPI INFO软件按照世卫组织指南设计的流行病学问卷支持。86名受访者完成了问卷调查。石油实验室采用直接汞分析仪DMA- 80对58份尿样进行了汞含量测定。采用EPI INFO分析流行病学资料。结果:98%的患者尿汞浓度超过100 μ g/L，偶有接触的污染浓度超过100 μ g/L，平均尿汞浓度为2785 μ g/L，本研究报道的全球最高尿汞浓度为10250 μ g/L。58例患者的症状表现为:单词找错46.6%，记忆问题27.6%，思维不清29.3%，紧张31%，悲伤46.5%，性问题36.2%，头痛51.7%，流涎过多43%，嗜睡48.3%。结论:与其他研究相比，本研究报告的尿汞浓度最高(10250 ug/L)。汞浓度在矿工组和其他组之间没有显著差异。此外，该研究还发现与神经毒性相关的神经症状发生率很高。思维问题与汞浓度加权的年龄显著相关。只有震颤与矿区生活时间有显著关系。此外，汞浓度、症状与在该地区居住时间之间无显著关系。建议:采用螯合疗法进行介入研究，金矿矿工应使用安全工具，激活法律和公约(MINAMATA公约)。

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Asian Journal of Health Sciences

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