Knowledge and awareness of health effects related to the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Suriname

Abstract

Background: The use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining has negative effects on human health and the environment. In Suriname, the current gold rush resulted in estimated mercury emissions up to 63t per year. To reduce the use of mercury and the subsequent health impact to gold miners and local inhabitants, knowledge and awareness in the community should be increased.

Methods: This study evaluated the effects of a health education programme (HEP) on the levels of knowledge and awareness among local inhabitants and small-scale gold miners in active gold mining areas in the interior of Suriname, South-America. Baseline knowledge levels were assessed with a survey prior to the implementation of the HEP. Thereafter, the exact same questions were asked to evaluate the effects. A total of 959 local inhabitants and 140 gold miners completed the survey including five topics: general knowledge on mercury, potential routes of exposure, health risks for children versus adults, mercury related health effects, and reproductive risks. Additionally, participants were asked in a separate survey (n = 107) about potential exposure reduction techniques and their willingness to be involved in a future human biomonitoring programme.

Results: The HEP influenced knowledge on exposure routes of mercury (increase from 64% to 78% of respondents who could name the relevant exposure routes) and on health effects attributed to mercury (increase from 48% to 70% of respondents who were able to list the correct health effects). After the HEP, 70% of the respondents affirmed the higher sensitivity of children, while knowledge on reproductive health effects increased from 39% to 63%. Self-estimated levels of knowledge also increased, indicating lower anxiety regarding potential risks of mercury. Gold miners reported to be willing to improve their work procedures (e.g. burning amalgam with a retort), although suitable tools were not always available. Consistent results were found for individuals included in both surveys, before and after the health education programme. Almost all respondents in the separate survey reported to be willing to give consent for participation in a future human biomonitoring programme, for themselves and their children.

Conclusion: The implementation of a health education programme within an existing local healthcare structure proved effective and levels of knowledge and awareness improved. Most improved was the knowledge on health effects attributable to mercury, more specifically reproductive health effects.

Keywords: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining; Health education; Human biomonitoring; Mercury; Public health; Risk communication.