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Johnson-Arbor K, Schultz B. Effective Decontamination and Remediation After Elemental Mercury Exposure: A Case Report in the United States. J Prev Med Public Health 2021; 54:376-379. [PMID: 34649400 PMCID: PMC8517368 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.21.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Elemental mercury exposure can result in significant toxicity. Source decontamination and remediation are often required after larger elemental mercury exposures, but the details of these processes are infrequently reported. In the case described herein, a 64-year-old woman and her husband were exposed to elemental mercury in their home after the husband purchased it online for the purpose of recreational barometer calibration. After the mercury reportedly spilled during the calibration process, a vacuum cleaner was used to decontaminate the affected surface; this led to extensive mercury contamination of the home. The couple was relocated from the home while remediation occurred over the course of several weeks. Vacuum cleaning of an elemental mercury spill can lead to extensive volatilization and recirculation of mercury vapor. For smaller mercury spills, careful removal of visible mercury beads by using an eyedropper, cardboard, and masking tape is recommended. Larger spills require professional decontamination and remediation and may necessitate involvement of governmental resources. Vacuum cleaning should not be used as an initial method of decontamination after elemental mercury exposure. Careful attention to source decontamination can reduce the emotional and financial costs associated with extensive remediation after elemental mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Johnson-Arbor
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.,National Capital Poison Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Moody KH, Hasan KM, Aljic S, Blakeman VM, Hicks LP, Loving DC, Moore ME, Hammett BS, Silva-González M, Seney CS, Kiefer AM. Mercury emissions from Peruvian gold shops: Potential ramifications for Minamata compliance in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:109042. [PMID: 32069769 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury has led to the establishment of Peruvian regulations limiting mercury concentrations in air to 2000 ng/m3over a 24-hr measurement period. As a result, three communities in Madre de Dios, Peru were mapped during October 2017 to determine Hg0 vapor concentrations in the air. The town of Tres Islas exhibited Hg0 concentrations less than 200 ng/m3: the minimum risk level defined by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. These low concentrations were reflective of a town in the region with limited exposure to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). However, the ASGM communities of Laberinto and Delta One exhibited concentrations of Hg0 vapor that exceeded 2,000,000 ng/m3 surrounding active gold shops, where amalgams and processed amalgams were heated with open flames. Laberinto was reevaluated in May 2018 during which time Hg0 levels on the sidewalks in front of gold shops again exceeded 2,000,000 ng/m3. Within the scope of this paper a rapid mapping technique allows for the detection of sources of Hg0 pollution and identifies neighborhoods that require intervention to decrease Hg0 emissions. In addition, this work highlights the difficulties of measuring total gaseous mercury in ASGM communities with gold shops according to the Peruvian law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keegan H Moody
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - Kazi M Hasan
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - Sumeja Aljic
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - Victoria M Blakeman
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - L Perry Hicks
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - Danielle C Loving
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - Matthew E Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - B Spencer Hammett
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - Mónica Silva-González
- Dirección de Calidad Ambiental y Ecoeficiencia, Experto Integrado CIM/GIZ, Ministerio Del Ambiente, Calle Los Nogales 234, San Isidro, Lima, Peru.
| | - Caryn S Seney
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
| | - Adam M Kiefer
- Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Dr., Macon, GA, 31207, USA.
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Ottenbros IB, Boerleider RZ, Jubitana B, Roeleveld N, Scheepers PTJ. Knowledge and awareness of health effects related to the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Suriname. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 122:142-150. [PMID: 30455102 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- I B Ottenbros
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - R Z Boerleider
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - B Jubitana
- Medische Zending Primary Health Care Suriname, Zonnebloemstraat 45-47, Paramaribo, Suriname
| | - N Roeleveld
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - P T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Deepa S, kumar KR. A symmetrical luminol based azo derivative for trimodal ratiometric Hg2+ sensing and its application to bioimaging in living cells. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Gao Z, Ying X, Yan J, Wang J, Cai S, Yan C. Acute mercury vapor poisoning in a 3-month-old infant: A case report. Clin Chim Acta 2017; 465:119-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Gul N, Khan S, Khan A, Nawab J, Shamshad I, Yu X. Quantification of Hg excretion and distribution in biological samples of mercury-dental-amalgam users and its correlation with biological variables. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:20580-20590. [PMID: 27464660 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7266-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study conducted to quantify the excretion and distribution of mercury (Hg) with time (days) in the biological samples collected from Hg dental amalgam users (MDA). The individuals, with Hg-based dental filling were selected, and their biological samples (red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, urine, hair, and nails) were collected on first, third, and 12th day of fillings. The concentrations of Hg observed in the biological samples of MDA were also correlated with the biological variables such as age, weight, restoration, fish consumption, number, and surface area of fillings. The concentrations of Hg in the biological samples of MDA were found 6-8 times higher than the non-amalgam users (control). The concentrations of Hg in the RBCs (4.39 μg/L), plasma (3.02 μg/L), and urine (22.5 μg/L) on first day of filling were found comparatively higher than the concentrations observed on third day (2.15, 1.46, and 12.3 μg/L for RBCs, plasma, urine, respectively) and 12th day (3.05, 2.5, 9.12 μg/L for RBCs, plasma, urine, respectively), while Hg concentrations were found lower in the hair and nails on third day of fillings (1.53 μg/g for hair and 2.35 μg/g for nails) as compared to the 12th day (2.95 μg/g for hair and 3.5 μg/g for nails). The correlations were found significant (p ˂ 0.05) between Hg concentrations in the biological samples of MDA and biological variables (the number of restoration, fish consumption, number, and surface area of fillings), while no significant (p ˃ 0.05) correlations were observed for Hg concentrations in the biological samples with age and weight of MDA. These observations unveil the fact that the use of Hg-based dental filling is the undesirable exposure to Hg which should be replaced by composite (a safer filling material).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayab Gul
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Health Risk Factors for Seafood of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan Municipal Center For Disease Control and Prevention, Zhoushan, 316021, China.
| | - Abbas Khan
- Drug Control Administration, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Health Department, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Javed Nawab
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
- Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, Swat, 19130, Pakistan
| | - Isha Shamshad
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
- Department of Environmental Science, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Xinwei Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Health Risk Factors for Seafood of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan Municipal Center For Disease Control and Prevention, Zhoushan, 316021, China.
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Identifying a role for human biomonitoring in incidents involving hazardous materials. Toxicol Lett 2014; 231:291-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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