Abstract:
Artisanal small-scale mining is widely operated in various countries serving as a
livelihood to many rural communities. However, it is a significant source of environmental
mercury contamination which affects human health. Amalgamation and amalgam
smelting, two significant steps in the artisanal small-scale mining operations generate
lots of mercury vapors, leading to chronic exposure among miners. Thus, this article
seeks to provide a topical review of recent findings on organ damage and metabolic
disorders among mercury-exposed artisanal small-scale miners with emphasis on
the contributing factors such as personal protective equipment usage and artisanal
small-scale gold mining-specific occupational activities. Also, insights into the effect of
mercury intoxication and mechanisms of action on organ and metabolic systems among
exposed individuals are provided