| Autor: |
Afrifa J; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.; Scientific Research Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China., Opoku YK; Department of Biomedical Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.; Biopharmaceutical Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China., Gyamerah EO; Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana., Ashiagbor G; Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana., Sorkpor RD; Food and Drugs Authority, Cape Coast, Ghana. |
| Abstrakt: |
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. |
