MERCURY EXPOSURE DATA FROM GOLD MINERS IN INDONESIA, MONGOLIA, PHILIPPINES, TANZANIA AND ZIMBABWE

Background and aims: In many developing countries, gold mining is performed using mercury. Mercury is used to extract gold from ore. Mercury exposure leads to negative health effects. The aim of this study was to provide a common data base using data from existing studies in gold mining areas to be able to compare with data from other areas. Methods: Data of several existing studies from Indonesia, Mongolia, Philippines, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe were combined to analyze the relation between exposure in small-scale gold mining areas and body burden (n=1278). Relating to their intensity of contact with mercury four groups were formed: (i) a non exposed control group; (ii) a low exposed group with participants only living in mining areas, but not working as miners; (iii) a medium exposed group, miners living in exposed areas and working with mercury without smelting amalgam; and (iv) a high exposed group, miners living in exposed areas and smelting amalgam. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to test for possible dif...