Abstract
BackgroundMercury can be very toxic to human health even at low dose of exposure. Artisanal small-scale miners (ASGMs) use mercury in gold production, hence are at risk of mercury-induced organ dysfunction.AimWe determined the association between mercury exposure, thyroid function and work-related factors among artisanal small-scale gold miners in Bibiani- Ghana.MethodWe conveniently recruited 137 consenting male gold miners at their work site in Bibiani-Ghana, in a comparative cross-sectional study. Occupational activities and socio-demographic data of participants were collected using a questionnaire. Blood sample was analysed for total mercury and thyroid hormones.ResultsOverall, 58.4% (80/137) of the participants had blood mercury exceeding the occupational exposure threshold (blood mercury ≥5μg/L). T3(P<0.0001) and T4(P<0.0001) were significantly reduced among the exposed group compared to the non-exposed. TSH showed no significant variation between the exposed and non-exposed groups. Longer work duration (≥5years), gold amalgamation, gold smelting and sucking of excess mercury with the mouth were associated with increased odds of mercury exposure. Blood mercury showed negative correlation with T3(r = -0.29, P<0.0001), and T4(r = -0.69, P<0.0001) and positive correlation with work duration (r = 0.88, P<0.001). Even though a positive trend of association between blood mercury and TSH levels was recorded, it was not significant (r = 0.07, P = 0.4121)ConclusionSmall scale miners in Bibiani are exposed to mercury above the occupational threshold which may affect thyroid hormone levels.
Highlights
Artisanal or small-scale mining by definition are those operations using only rudimentary or artisanal implements as well as more sophisticated mining activities operating at a relatively low level of production and which generally require limited capital investment [1]
Small scale miners in Bibiani are exposed to mercury above the occupational threshold which may affect thyroid hormone levels
Artisanal small-scale mining is largely a poverty driven activity that constitutes an important source of livelihood for many rural communities, but it is the world’s fastest growing source of mercury contamination [2, 3]
Summary
Artisanal or small-scale mining by definition are those operations using only rudimentary or artisanal implements as well as more sophisticated mining activities operating at a relatively low level of production and which generally require limited capital investment [1]. Artisanal small-scale mining is largely a poverty driven activity that constitutes an important source of livelihood for many rural communities, but it is the world’s fastest growing source of mercury contamination [2, 3]. Mercury amalgamation serves as one of the major tools employed in extraction of gold among small-scale miners [4]. Environmental contamination of mercury from old mines as well as on going mining practices which significantly rely on mercury amalgamation in the extraction of gold is common. Such contaminations are known to impact negatively on various environmental systems at varying levels [6]. Artisanal smallscale miners (ASGMs) use mercury in gold production, are at risk of mercury-induced organ dysfunction
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