ASGM is the world’s fastest-growing source of Hg and can discharge Hg into both the aquatic environment and the terrestrial ecosystem. Thus, Hg is discharged worldwide into the environments. This became one of the first and the most critical incidents of Hg poisoning due to an industrial site.ĭifferent forms of Hg can be released into the atmosphere, water, and across land as a result of human activities such as burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal and petroleum), industrial effluents, product waste (e.g., electronic) from intentional use, dental amalgamation, agricultural practices, and ASGM and natural processes, including volcanic eruptions, rock weathering, and forest fires. A famous catastrophic Hg outbreak occurred in Minamata Bay, Japan, in the 1950s, when factory wastewater containing MeHg from a factory was discharged into the Shiranui Sea, poisoning the people who ingested the contaminated seafood. The use of elemental Hg in artisanal and small-scale gold-mining (ASGM) sector can be hazardous because of the inhalation of Hg vapor, which easily penetrates the blood–brain barrier and induces neurotoxicity. Meanwhile, elemental Hg can be converted to MeHg in aquatic sediments. In particular, methylmercury (MeHg) is the most dangerous form because it can bioaccumulate in microorganisms and biomagnify or enhance the trophic levels in aquatic food webs. All its common forms, including elemental (metallic), inorganic, and organic are highly toxic. Mercury (Hg) is listed among the top 10 most harmful metals by the World Health Organization (WHO), and its chemical forms are considered a public health concern. In the future, more research and assessment will be required to investigate the current and evolving situation in ASGM communities. This review summarizes the effects of Hg in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries. Attentions should be given regarding the public health concern, specifically for the vulnerable groups such as adults, pregnant women, and children who live near the ASGM activity. To one point, Hg atmospheric concentrations from all observed studies was shown to be extremely high in the vicinity of gold operating areas. The findings indicated severe Hg contamination around the ASGM process, specifically the gold-amalgamation stage, was significantly high. ASGM-related health risks to miners and nonminers, specifically in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, were also assessed. Mercury concentrations exceeding the WHO and United States Environmental Protection Agency guideline values were reported in environmental (i.e., air, water, and soil) and biomonitoring samples (i.e., plants, fish, and human hair). Here, 16 relevant studies were systematically searched by performing the PRISMA flow, combining the keywords of “Hg”, “ASGM”, and relevant study areas. Hg has been widely used in ASGM industries throughout Southeast Asia countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the world’s fastest-growing source of Hg and can release Hg into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Mercury (Hg) is one of the most harmful metals and has been a public health concern according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
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