Mercury exposure in a low-income community in South Africa

Abstract

The objective of this study is to establish whether a specific community in a gold mining area, with potentially associated small-scale gold mining activities, was exposed to mercury. The community was situated in Mpumalanga, where some potential sources of mercury emissions may have an impact. Adults =18 years were considered eligible. Biological monitoring, supported by questionnaires, was applied. Thirty respondents completed the questionnaire which covered demographics, energy use, food and water consumption, neurological symptoms, and confounders such as alcohol consumption and brain injuries. Mercury levels were determined in 28 urine and 20 blood samples of these respondents.