A review of health hazards associated with exposure to galamsey-related pollutants

Health hazards associated with exposure to galamsey-related pollutants

  • Jonathan Awewomom Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States of America &Department of Chemistry, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Benjamin K. Benyade Department of Chemistry, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Fobi E. Osei Department of Chemistry, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • David Azanu Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Francis Opoku Department of Chemistry, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Lyndon N. A Sackey Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Osei Akoto Department of Chemistry, College of Science Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana;
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2024.6.5.2.726-734
Keywords: Illegal mining sites, pollutants, socioeconomic, galamsey

Abstract

Galamsey, the unregulated artisanal small-scale gold mining in Ghana, is emerging as a significant global concern. Galamsey operations typically involve numerous unlicensed and untrained people at a multiplicity of sites who engage in the uncontrolled excavation of soil and/or water bodies using rudimentary tools. Aside from haphazard destruction of land and vegetation, galamsey operations often release hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide, recognised as mining pollutants. This review examines the far-reaching implications of galamseyrelated pollutants, drawing particular attention to the context of Ghana and focusing on the toxicological impacts of pollutants such as hydrocarbons, cyanide, mercury, lead, arsenic, soot, silt, and nitrate, often released during galamsey activities. These contaminants have been
linked to various adverse health effects, including neurological disorders, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and congenital defects.
Special attention is given to the mechanism of action of these pollutants, emphasising how they disrupt biological systems and lead to chronic health conditions and birth defects. Finally, the review proposes comprehensive recommendations for mitigating the health and environmental consequences of galamsey.

Published
2024-06-19
Issue
Vol 5 No 2 (2024): Special Edition on Galamsey
Section
Review