Abstract
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).
Highlights
Gold production has increased in Colombia in recent years, especially artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in areas that have traditionally been used for this purpose
This study found that the frequency of fish consumption was associated exclusively with mercury levels in hair, which suggests that fish consumption is a good proxy for mercury exposure in this region
The present findings indicated that, for Colombian Mojana women, the frequency of fish consumption and source of drinking water are associated with higher levels of mercury in the matrices evaluated
Summary
Gold production has increased in Colombia in recent years, especially artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in areas that have traditionally been used for this purpose. One way is through underground mining, in which the gold is confined to veins beneath the surface. Another method is called placer mining, in which gold is found in alluvial deposits. In this case, gold flows from an original source, such as a vein, until it reaches parts of the river where the water flow slows. Gold flows from an original source, such as a vein, until it reaches parts of the river where the water flow slows Since these methods use large amounts of mercury, both of these extraction techniques pose a risk to human health and the environment. The gold accumulates at the base of placer deposits [1]
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