Artisanal small-scale mining is widely operated in various countries serving as a livelihood to many rural communities. However, it is a significant source of environmental mercury contamination which affects human health. Amalgamation and amalgam smelting, two significant steps in the artisanal small-scale mining operations generate lots of mercury vapors, leading to chronic exposure among miners. Thus, this article seeks to provide a topical review of recent findings on organ damage and metabolic disorders among mercury-exposed artisanal small-scale miners with emphasis on the contributing factors such as personal protective equipment usage and artisanal small-scale gold mining-specific occupational activities. Also, insights into the effect of mercury intoxication and mechanisms of action on organ and metabolic systems among exposed individuals are provided.
CITATION STYLE
Afrifa, J., Opoku, Y. K., Gyamerah, E. O., Ashiagbor, G., & Sorkpor, R. D. (2019). The clinical importance of the mercury problem in artisanal small-scale gold mining. Frontiers in Public Health. Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00131
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