Toxicity of Metals from the Mining Industry in Latin American Countries

Abstract

Abstract Lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are widely recognized as global pollutants that constitute public health problems. This literature review encourages collaborative research in countries with minimal information on the subject and highlights the need for legislation and educational efforts to stop anthropogenic activities that expose Latin American populations. The evidence compiled based on the analysis of 59 documents including books, standards, specialized magazines, etc., presents the reality of the mining industry in countries such as Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, with Chile standing out as a producer of Cu and Pb, followed by Peru as the main exporter of Hg. Regarding environmental contamination, the contamination of soil and water in the four countries by Pb, Cu, Hg, among others, were quite evident, concerning a health risk either by exposure or ingestion.

Keywords

• toxicity, heavy metals, mining.