HEALTH EFFECTS OF MERCURY EXPOSURE AMONG GOLD MINERS

Yumang, AA 1 *, Makalinao, IR 2, Cortes-Maramba, NP 2, Rivera, ATR 3

1Department of Health, Center for Health Development – Davao Region
2National Poison Control Information Service, UP-PGH - Manila
3Department of Health, Environmental & Occupational Health – Manila

Small-scale artesanal gold mining in the Philippines may result in significant health exposures. Since 1980, artesanal gold mining has been in existence at Pantukan, Compostela Valley with miners engaged in the amalgamation method for gold extraction. A descriptive study was conducted in sitio Gumayan, barangay Kingking, Pantukan, Compostela Valley from August to October 1999 with the primary aim of assessing the health effects of mercury exposure among miners. All miners working in the site for at least one year, voluntarily submitting themselves for interview, physical and biologic monitoring were included in the study. A total of 30 miners fulfilled the inclusion criteria with age ranging from 25-58 years (mean age = 39.4) with male to female ratio = 4:1. 87% engaged in 2 or more gold mining processes, which may be any of the following: ballmilling, panning, pressing, and blowtorching. Duration of exposure showed mean working years of 13.8 years (range=1-20 years), mean working days/week of 5.6 (range 1-7 days) and mean working hours/day of 6.2 (range 1-14 hours). 22 out of 30 workers had mercury level ranging from 10-120 ppb with a mean level of 40 ppb. The rest had values which were non-detectable based on the threshold limit value of the laboratory used which was 10 ppb. The most significant health effects included poor memory, anosmia, abnormal gait and balance. In conclusion, the mercury exposure from artesanal small-scale gold mining resulted in blood mercury levels exceeding the existing standards set by the World Health Organization. The study recommended health remediation.

Position Title: Dr.
e-mail ad: annabelle.yumang@lycos.com
fax: +6382-2216320
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Postal Address: Department of Health
Center for Health Development – Davao Region
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Davao City 8000 Philippines

Keywords: Health effects of Mercury Exposure