Mercury abuse leads to devastating health conditions

Research has revealed that the abuse of mercury by small-scale miners is exposing many Ghanaians to devastating health conditions including liver and kidney damage.

The chemical is used to extract precious minerals but researchers say it more often than not becomes a toxic substance with the potential to cause damage if not handled properly.

Mining and its impact continue to engage the attention of key stakeholders with unending calls for modern techniques to save the environment.

During his inaugural lecture, Vincent Kodzo Nartey, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Ghana, highlighted some major challenges associated with coming into contact with the chemical.

“Mercury never dies, thus the metal is rather converted to a more toxic and stable form in the environment and perceives forever and this is where the danger lies.

“As mercury is extensively used in gold extraction by both small scale and illegal miners, their activities expose Ghanaians to mercury contamination through drinking and inhaling of this mercury which is absolved to the blood, once in the circulatory system, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain-damaging the central nervous system,” he explained the effects of the mercury in the system.

He noted that the research observed that “the critical target of elemental mercury is the adult and fatal brain, adding that “the critical target of lethal mercury are the brain and the kidneys.”

“With this background information, mercury is known to one – deteriorate the nervous system, impair hearing, speech, and vision.”

He went on to say that mercury abuse causes involuntary muscle movement, corrodes the skin and locus membranes, causes chewing and swallowing difficulties, it reduces reproductive access, impairs growth and development and causes liver and kidney damage and neurobehavioral effects and eventually death.”

As a result, he wants the government to restrict the sale and usage of mercury.

“The team calls on the government to enforce tighter control over the sales and usage of mercury. Tighter control over the activities of illegal gold mining should be implemented and sustained.”

He also urged the government to enforce accelerated adoption of cleaner technologies in gold mining in the refinery.

He also advised the government to start a health surveillance programme in mining communities to screen citizens for mercury exposure.

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