| Document ID (ISN) | 78116 |
| CIS number |
02-309 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0340-0131 - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health |
| Year |
2001 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Drake P.L., Rojas M., Reh C.M., Mueller C.A., Jenkins F.M. |
| Title |
Occupational exposure to airborne mercury during gold mining operations near El Callao, Venezuela |
| Bibliographic information |
Apr. 2001, Vol.74, No.3, p.206-212. Illus. 35 ref. |
| Abstract |
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a cross-sectional study during gold mining operations near El Callao, Venezuela to assess mercury exposures and mercury-related micro-damage to the kidneys. Mercury was used to remove gold by forming a mercury-gold amalgam. The gold was purified either by heating the amalgam in the open with a propane torch or by using a small retort. 38 workers participated in this study. Mercury exposure was monitored by sampling air from the workers' breathing zones. These air samples were used to calculate time-weighted average (TWA) mercury exposure concentrations. Results showed that 20% of the TWA airborne mercury exposure measurements were above the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 50µg/m3, and 26% exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value of 25µg/m3. Recommendations were made for improving retort design, for ventilation in gold shops, for medical surveillance and for educational programs. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
mercury; renal damage; Venezuela; exposure tests; gold mining |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
threshold limit values; exposure evaluation; determination in urine; determination in air; cross-sectional study |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | USA; Venezuela |
| Subject(s) |
Mines and quarries
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Inorganic substances
Mercury and compounds
Biological monitoring
Diseases of the kidney and the urinary system
Mining and quarrying
|
