Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has a known negative effect on the community’s health; therefore, assessment to monitor community health is essential to detect any issues and enable early treatment. Because ASGM-related health issues are complex and cannot be addressed effectively with a traditional one-time health assessment alone, both long-term and regular health assessments using a transdisciplinary approach should be considered. In response to this need, we designed an online health assessment tool as a reference for a future long-term health assessment system. An online video interview was conducted with 54 respondents living in the ASGM area of Chaung Gyi Village, Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region, Myanmar, via a social networking service application. The tool was used to evaluate community health during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, including mercury intoxication symptoms, mining-related diseases, and other diseases. Results show that persons working in mining versus non-mining occupations had a greater prevalence of pulmonary diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis, silicosis, and bronchial asthma, in addition to malaria. Based on these findings, online health assessment using a transdisciplinary approach can be recommended as an effective tool for sustainable and long-term health assessment of ASGM-related disease and should be performed regularly following physical health surveys.
Highlights
Published: 25 October 2021Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a major livelihood of rural communities in developing countries; ASGM is widely known as a major source of atmospheric pollution by mercury (Hg) [1] and other heavy metals, as well as the cause of serious health problems in mining communities
Because some ASGM activities take place in residential communities without a proper containment system, the Hg vapor released during the amalgam-burning phase is widely dispersed, leading to Hg infiltration into the bodies of persons working in mining and other local community residents through inhalation
The study area community had a significant incidence of pulmonary disease, including pulmonary tuberculosis, silicosis, and bronchial asthma, in addition to malaria and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and liver diseases
Summary
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a major livelihood of rural communities in developing countries; ASGM is widely known as a major source of atmospheric pollution by mercury (Hg) [1] and other heavy metals, as well as the cause of serious health problems in mining communities. Elementary Hg is used in the ASGM process to extract gold (Au) from ore, and the Au-Hg amalgam is further burned to obtain. Because some ASGM activities take place in residential communities without a proper containment system, the Hg vapor released during the amalgam-burning phase is widely dispersed, leading to Hg infiltration into the bodies of persons working in mining (hereafter, miners) and other local community residents through inhalation. Hg amalgamation remains a favored method to obtain Au because of its accessibility, affordability, and applicability in local settings.
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