A review of health hazards associated with exposure to galamsey-related pollutants

Galamsey, the unregulated artisanal small-scale gold mining in Ghana, is emerging as a significant global concern. Galamsey operations typically involve numerous unlicensed and untrained people at a multiplicity of sites who engage in the uncontrolled excavation of soil and/or water bodies using rudimentary tools. Aside from haphazard destruction of land and vegetation, galamsey operations often release hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide, recognised as mining pollutants. This review examines the far-reaching implications of galamsey-related pollutants, drawing particular attention to the context of Ghana and focusing on the toxicological impacts of pollutants such as hydrocarbons, cyanide, mercury, lead, arsenic, soot, silt, and nitrate, often released during galamsey activities. These contaminants have been linked to various adverse health effects, including neurological disorders, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and congenital defects. Special attention is given to the mechanism of action of these pollutants, emphasising how they disrupt biological systems and lead to chronic health conditions and birth defects. Finally, the review proposes comprehensive recommendations for mitigating the health and environmental consequences of galamsey.