Mercury as a Global Pollutant and its Lasting Effects on A Community, 35 Years Later
1
Discipline of Occupational & Environmental Health, UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL, DURBAN, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A355
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Mercury remains a worldwide pollutant. Although banned in many countries the legacy of Mercury contamination remains as a lasting disastrous crisis in many communities. In South Africa, the ominous introduction to mercury began in a small community when a Mercury recycling plant began its operation.
METHODS:
The study was conducted on 51 ex-workers of the mercury recycling plant. The study involved a 3-pronged approach which included occupational medicine clinical assessment (which included a detailed questionnaire focusing on occupational history & a thorough clinical assessment by OMPS), Occupational Therapy assessments by trained OTs focussing on balance, posture, ADL and musculoskeletal impairments; and lastly a neuropsychological screening interview by a qualified neuropsychologist which included a detailed interview with collateral information. Exposure was assessed via hair, nails, blood and urine samples from all participants. These samples were analysed at the National Institute of Occ Health in South Africa. The results were then captured on Excel and analysed using bivariate analysis looking for associations between outcomes and exposure measurements.
RESULTS:
The study enrolled all living 51 ex-workers. The average age of the workers was 65 and their employment tenure was an average of 11 years. Clinical assessments revealed that 33 of the workers exhibited impairments with postural alignment, exhibited tremors and neurocognitive delays and impairments. At least 14 of the workers showed elevated levels of Hg in their hair, nails and blood.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results although in a small study sample clearly indicate the lasting and latent effects of Hg toxicity. Although a strong association to occupational exposure, these results also indicate the involvement of environmental toxicity and a community at risk. The neighboring communities are low socio-economic population that rely heavily on subsistence farming and small livestock farming. These results are a startling reality of community mercury toxicity.
Mercury remains a worldwide pollutant. Although banned in many countries the legacy of Mercury contamination remains as a lasting disastrous crisis in many communities. In South Africa, the ominous introduction to mercury began in a small community when a Mercury recycling plant began its operation.
METHODS:
The study was conducted on 51 ex-workers of the mercury recycling plant. The study involved a 3-pronged approach which included occupational medicine clinical assessment (which included a detailed questionnaire focusing on occupational history & a thorough clinical assessment by OMPS), Occupational Therapy assessments by trained OTs focussing on balance, posture, ADL and musculoskeletal impairments; and lastly a neuropsychological screening interview by a qualified neuropsychologist which included a detailed interview with collateral information. Exposure was assessed via hair, nails, blood and urine samples from all participants. These samples were analysed at the National Institute of Occ Health in South Africa. The results were then captured on Excel and analysed using bivariate analysis looking for associations between outcomes and exposure measurements.
RESULTS:
The study enrolled all living 51 ex-workers. The average age of the workers was 65 and their employment tenure was an average of 11 years. Clinical assessments revealed that 33 of the workers exhibited impairments with postural alignment, exhibited tremors and neurocognitive delays and impairments. At least 14 of the workers showed elevated levels of Hg in their hair, nails and blood.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results although in a small study sample clearly indicate the lasting and latent effects of Hg toxicity. Although a strong association to occupational exposure, these results also indicate the involvement of environmental toxicity and a community at risk. The neighboring communities are low socio-economic population that rely heavily on subsistence farming and small livestock farming. These results are a startling reality of community mercury toxicity.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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