Description
Introduction
Over nine million Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) workers in Africa and populations living near ASGM activities are heavily exposed to geogenic and anthropogenic potentially harmful elements (PHEs). The hazards and risks posed by ASGM are well categorized. However, coordinated multidisciplinary environmental characterization with combined public health studies is limited. Often, piecemeal and snapshot studies are reported continentwide. Besides, studies are often not connected with efforts to holistically minimize hazards and associated risks. This study reviewed published literature on environmental pollution, human exposure and health effects of ASGM activities across Africa besides conducting environmental and dietary evaluation coupled with public health assessment of ASGM workers and residents in Western Kenya.
Methodology
The scientific literature on human health hazards associated with ASGM in Africa was searched through Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Pubmed databases and systematically reviewed. Further environmental, dietary, and human samples were collected in 19 ASGM villages in Kakamega and Vihiga Counties, Kenya, for PHEs analysis.
Results and discussion
One hundred seventy-three peer-reviewed papers published between 1996 and June 2023 from 30 African countries were identified. Toxicological environmental hazards were reported in 102 peer-reviewed papers, notably As, Cd, CN, Cr, Hg, Pb, respirable SiO2-laden dust, and radionuclides. Exposure to PTEs in human biomonitoring matrices and associated health impacts were documented in 71 papers. Hg was the most reported hazard, showing a considerable bias. Gaps in research robustness, technology, regulation and policy framework, risk detection, surveillance, and management were evident across Africa.
Similar to other studies in ASGM in Africa, the Kenyan sample analysis results revealed unabated environmental pollution, dietary contamination, and human exposure to PHEs, most notably As, Cd, Cr, Hg,Ni, and Pb, at levels above health-based regulatory and recommended limits.
Conclusion
Despite international and in-country mitigation efforts, ASGM-related hazards and risks in Africa are getting worse. Coordinated action and multidisciplinary collaborative approaches that connect environmental, dietary, and public health research to effectively characterize disease burden in ASGM in Africa and sustainably maximize the benefits of ASGM while protecting public health and the environment are critical.
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