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Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Myanmar and Other Southeast Asian Countries

Author

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  • Pyae Sone Soe

    (Graduate School of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan
    Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan)

  • Win Thiri Kyaw

    (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto 603-8047, Japan)

  • Koji Arizono

    (Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862 0973, Japan)

  • Yasuhiro Ishibashi

    (Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan)

  • Tetsuro Agusa

    (Faculty of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan)

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most harmful metals and has been a public health concern according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the world’s fastest-growing source of Hg and can release Hg into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Hg has been widely used in ASGM industries throughout Southeast Asia countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. Here, 16 relevant studies were systematically searched by performing the PRISMA flow, combining the keywords of “Hg”, “ASGM”, and relevant study areas. Mercury concentrations exceeding the WHO and United States Environmental Protection Agency guideline values were reported in environmental (i.e., air, water, and soil) and biomonitoring samples (i.e., plants, fish, and human hair). ASGM-related health risks to miners and nonminers, specifically in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, were also assessed. The findings indicated severe Hg contamination around the ASGM process, specifically the gold-amalgamation stage, was significantly high. To one point, Hg atmospheric concentrations from all observed studies was shown to be extremely high in the vicinity of gold operating areas. Attentions should be given regarding the public health concern, specifically for the vulnerable groups such as adults, pregnant women, and children who live near the ASGM activity. This review summarizes the effects of Hg in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries. In the future, more research and assessment will be required to investigate the current and evolving situation in ASGM communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Pyae Sone Soe & Win Thiri Kyaw & Koji Arizono & Yasuhiro Ishibashi & Tetsuro Agusa, 2022. "Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Myanmar and Other Southeast Asian Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6290-:d:821184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mozhgon Rajaee & Samuel Obiri & Allyson Green & Rachel Long & Samuel J. Cobbina & Vincent Nartey & David Buck & Edward Antwi & Niladri Basu, 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-41, July.
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    4. Mert Guney & Zhanel Akimzhanova & Aiganym Kumisbek & Kamila Beisova & Symbat Kismelyeva & Aliya Satayeva & Vassilis Inglezakis & Ferhat Karaca, 2020. "Mercury (Hg) Contaminated Sites in Kazakhstan: Review of Current Cases and Site Remediation Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-42, December.
    5. Shanqian Wang & Taiyang Zhong & Dongmei Chen & Xiuying Zhang, 2016. "Spatial Distribution of Mercury (Hg) Concentration in Agricultural Soil and Its Risk Assessment on Food Safety in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-12, August.
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    1. Ami A. Meutia & Dianto Bachriadi & Nurfitri Abdul Gafur, 2023. "Environment Degradation, Health Threats, and Legality at the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-26, September.
    2. Yanting Zheng & Jing He & Wenxiang Zhang & Aifeng Lv, 2023. "Assessing Water Security and Coupling Coordination in the Lancang–Mekong River Basin for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-20, December.

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