Mercury and human health: probabilistic risk characterization in one of the oldest gold mining areas in Ecuador

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is an important contributor to global human emissions of Hg. This study assesses the probabilistic human health risk for two receptors groups (residents and workers) of Portovelo mining area through exposure to Mercury (Hg) in the air at two sites: (a) the central urban area; and (b) El Pache sector. A preliminary risk assessment was performed using Hg concentrations from previous studies. The human health risk in the workplace scenario showed unacceptable levels of non-carcinogenic risk in rainy and dry seasons. Hazard Quotient (HQ) showed that 75% of the workers receptors were exposed to harmful effects on the nervous, digestive, respiratory, and immune systems. Regarding the residential scenario, no human health risk is presented. The study provides information on the levels of risk to the health of the inhabitants living in mining communities to improve public management strategies to minimize risks.

Keywords

• hazard quotient; probabilistic risk; population heath; mercury pollution; gold mining