Elwaleed Ahmed, Jeong HuiHo, Abdelbagi Ali H, Quynh Nguyen Thi, Agusa Tetsuro, Ishibashi Yasuhiro, Arizono Koji
Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan.
Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Khartoum, Gamma Ave., Khartoum P.O. Box 321, Sudan.
Toxics. 2024 Jan 29;12(2):112. doi: 10.3390/toxics12020112.
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.
手工和小规模金矿开采(ASGM)由于汞排放及其导致的健康危害,对全球构成了重大威胁。本研究重点评估苏丹阿布哈马德手工和小规模金矿开采社区的这些风险。利用Mercury Analyzer 3000(NIC)对12个土壤样本(包括1个尾矿样本)和7个水样进行分析,结果显示在汞齐燃烧地点附近浓度最高:土壤中为34.8毫克/千克(S06),水中为3.26微克/升(W03)。浓度随距离降低,燃烧附近的土壤汞含量超过尾矿(S05 = 19.0毫克/千克)。危险商数表明,吸入汞蒸气是土壤的主要暴露途径,在靠近汞齐燃烧地点的地方,成人的危险指数达到5.34,儿童为33.4。除了W03水样外,其他水样一般风险较小,在W03水样中,儿童通过摄入面临潜在危险(危险指数 = 1.74)。这些发现强调迫切需要采用蒸馏器和环保做法,以减少汞排放并保护手工和小规模金矿开采社区。