Effects on mercury released from gold extraction by amalgamation on renal function and environment in Shanxi, China

To explore the distribution of mercury in the environment and the effects on the residents’ renal function induced by mercury after gold extraction using amalgamation technique in some area, Shanxi, China. The mercury concentrations in the air, water and the crops were measured. Meanwhile the biomarkers of exposure and effect including urinary mercury, urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), urinary β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) and urinary microalbumin (mALB) were detected. The results showed that mercury concentrations in air were 79~240 ng/m³ in four seasons in polluted area, it did not exceed the national standard of 0.3µg/m³, but significantly higher than that of in control area and was 0.025±0.006µg/L. The river going throng polluted area had been polluted by mercury. The mercury content was 19 times higher than national standard in river water. Mercury contents in millet (0.006±0.003 mg/kg) and maize (0.013±0.006mg/kg) in polluted area was significantly higher than those of in control area. The urinary mercury and urinary β₂-MG contents in the polluted area were 1.24±3.80µg/L and 228.98±4.34µg/gCr, obviously higher than those in the control area. This observation demonstrated that a great deal of mercury remains in soils, river and air in the polluted area after gold extraction by amalgamation. Mercury environmental pollution has caused increase of mercury burden and subtle effects on renal function of residents in the polluted area. Urinary β₂-MG could be as the early–sensitive biomarker for mercury polluted residents.
Keywords: Mercury; renal function; gold extraction by amalgamation