Human Health Risk Assessment from Mercury-Contaminated Soil and Water in Abu Hamad Mining Market, Sudan-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Human Health Risk Assessment from Mercury-Contaminated Soil and Water in Abu Hamad Mining Market, Sudan

Published:2024-01-29 Issue:2 Volume:12 Page:112
ISSN:2305-6304
Container-title:Toxics
language:en
Short-container-title:Toxics

Author:

Elwaleed Ahmed¹²^ORCID,Jeong HuiHo³^ORCID,Abdelbagi Ali H.²^ORCID,Quynh Nguyen Thi¹,Agusa Tetsuro³,Ishibashi Yasuhiro³,Arizono Koji⁴

Affiliation:

1. Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan

2. Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Khartoum, Gamma Ave., Khartoum P.O. Box 321, Sudan

3. Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan

4. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) poses a significant global threat due to mercury emissions and resulting health hazards. This study focuses on assessing these risks in the Abu Hamad ASGM community in Sudan. Utilizing the Mercury Analyzer 3000 (NIC), analyses of twelve soil samples (including one tailings sample) and seven water samples revealed the highest concentrations near amalgam burning locations: 34.8 mg/kg in soil (S06) and 3.26 µg/L in water (W03). Concentrations decrease with distance, with soil near burning exceeding tailings (S05 = 19.0 mg/kg). Hazard quotients indicate mercury vapor inhalation as the primary exposure route from soil, with the Hazard Index reaching 5.34 for adults and 33.4 for children close to amalgam burning sites. Water samples generally pose little risk except for W03, where children face potential danger via ingestion (HI = 1.74). These findings emphasize the urgent need for adopting retorts and eco-friendly practices to reduce mercury emissions and protect ASGM communities.

Funder

Kumamoto Prefecture Government

International Postgraduate Scholarship

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Chemical Health and Safety,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Toxicology

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/2/112/pdf

Reference64 articles.

1. Toxicity, Sources and Biogeochemical Cycle of Mercury;Jitaru;J. Phys. IV,2004

2. The Human Health Risks Assessment of Mercury in Soils and Plantains from Farms in Selected Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities around Obuasi, Ghana;Novirsa;J. Appl. Toxicol.,2022

3. Mercury Exposure and Public Health;Clifton;Pediatr. Clin. N. Am.,2007

4. Research Triangle Institute (1999). Toxicological Profile for Mercury; United States, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profiles.

5. Clean Artisanal Gold Mining: A Utopian Approach?;Hinton;J. Clean. Prod.,2003