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Guyana to test for mercury contamination in humans by first quarter of 2012
By the first quarter of 2012 the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Georgetown,
Miners using mercury to recover gold.
is expected to begin testing for mercury contamination in humans. As such, miners and individuals residing within mining districts could get tested for mercury poisoning.
Director of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Dr. Colin Roach made that proclamation during an interview with this publication on Friday. This essential capacity boost to the laboratory is through collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Health Ministry.
Presently the procurement process is ongoing for glassware and other small equipment used in sample digestion, which is a manual method used in the first phase of testing, he disclosed.
The laboratory is already equipped with the Atomic Absorption Heavy Metal Analyzer purchased by the WWF. In addition, personnel were trained in conducting tests and operating the machinery.
Even with authorities across the world including Guyana working on finding alternatives for mercury usage in the mining sector, investing in the machinery to test mercury contamination in humans is relevant since traces of mercury will remain years after in soils, air and waterways, Dr. Roach stressed.
He further noted that mercury usage will not be completely phased out. In certain sections of society the toxic substance will be used on a small scale, therefore, persons will be at risk of mercury contamination. In coming years testing for mercury may become infrequent but its importance will remain since each life counts.
In Guyana, the regular chemistry analyzers in hospitals cannot measure heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic.
These metals can be poisonous when there is heavy concentration in the human’s body, for instance, people have stopped painting their homes with paints that contain lead owing to the toxic effect.
Toxic effects of mercury include damage to the brain, kidney, and lungs. Mercury poisoning can result in several diseases, including acrodynia, Hunter-Russell syndrome, and Minamata disease.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include peripheral neuropathy (presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning or pain), skin discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips and toes), swelling, and desquamation (shedding of skin).
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