Mercury Exposure and your Health

The ongoing galamsey menace puts us all at risk of mercury toxicity. We can no longer sit unconcerned. Mercury Exposure and your Health:

Mercury is a naturally occurring chemical element and the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, often referred to as quicksilver due to its shiny, silvery appearance. Mercury exists in various forms, and even though some forms are more toxic than others,

all mercury exposure is toxic to your health!!

1. Elemental Mercury (Metallic Mercury): This is the pure, liquid form of mercury and is used in devices like thermometers, barometers, and some electrical switches. When it evaporates, it produces mercury vapor, which can be inhaled and is highly toxic.
2. Inorganic Mercury Compounds: These are formed when mercury combines with other elements like chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen. They are used in some industrial processes and are less commonly found in household items. Exposure typically happens through contact with contaminated materials or ingestion of mercury salts.
3. Organic Mercury Compounds (Methylmercury): These compounds form when mercury combines with carbon. Methylmercury is the most toxic form and is created mainly by microorganisms in water bodies. It accumulates in fish and shellfish, making seafood the most common source of exposure to organic mercury for humans.

Mercury use in galamsey (a term used in Ghana to refer to illegal small-scale gold mining) has been well documented. It is used in the gold extraction process. This poses significant environmental and health risks as stated below:

1. Mercury Inhalation:

Mercury binds to gold to form an amalgam which makes it easier to separate the gold from other materials. The amalgam is then heated, causing the mercury to evaporate and leaving behind the purified gold. Unfortunately, the evaporated mercury vapor can be inhaled, leading to toxic exposure for miners and nearby communities.

2. Water Contamination:

Mercury used in gold mining often ends up in rivers and streams, contaminating water sources. This is especially dangerous in areas where communities rely on these water bodies for drinking, fishing, and farming.

3. Soil Degradation:

Mercury that seeps into the soil can remain there for long periods, harming plants and disrupting ecosystems. It also contaminates crops, leading to potential food safety issues.

Mercury in water bodies and soil can be converted into methylmercury by microorganisms and bioaccumulates in fish and other aquatic organisms as well as crops, leading to poisoning of the entire food chain, including humans who consume contaminated foods.

Health Effects of Mercury Exposure

‘Galamseyers’ and residents near and far, are at high risk of mercury poisoning. Children born to pregnant women who were exposed to mercury during pregnancy are at highest risk, followed by children under the age of 14. Some health effects include

1. Neurological Damage:

Mercury, especially in its organic form (methylmercury), can damage the nervous system. Resulting in vision, speech, hearing and walking impairment as well as numbness in hands and feet and muscle weakness. Developing fetuses and young children are especially vulnerable to neurodevelopmental effects.

2. Kidney Damage:

The kidneys are the primary means of excreting mercury from the body. Prolonged exposure to inorganic mercury can impair kidney function, leading to kidney failure.

3. Respiratory Issues:

Exposure to mercury vapor (as found in certain industrial settings) can irritate the lungs, leading to shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, and even pneumonia in severe cases. Long-term exposure can cause chronic respiratory problems.

4. Immune System Suppression:

Mercury exposure can weaken the immune system by affecting the function of immune cells. This can increase susceptibility to infections and other diseases, and may even trigger autoimmune responses where the body attacks its own tissues.

5. Cardiovascular Problems:

Mercury has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and heart attacks. It can disrupt normal heart function and elevate blood pressure, which may lead to long-term damage to the heart and blood vessels.

Mercury may be the cheapest means of separating the gold from the chaff, but its cost to human health cannot be ignored. It is highly toxic in its various forms, and exposure should be minimized to avoid these and other potential health risks.