Variation in thyroid hormone levels is associated with elevated blood mercury levels among artisanal small-scale miners in Ghana

PloS One
Justice AfrifaRuth Duku-Takyi

Abstract

Mercury can be very toxic to human health even at low dose of exposure. Artisanal small-scale miners (ASGMs) use mercury in gold production, hence are at risk of mercury-induced organ dysfunction. We determined the association between mercury exposure, thyroid function and work-related factors among artisanal small-scale gold miners in Bibiani- Ghana. We conveniently recruited 137 consenting male gold miners at their work site in Bibiani-Ghana, in a comparative cross-sectional study. Occupational activities and socio-demographic data of participants were collected using a questionnaire. Blood sample was analysed for total mercury and thyroid hormones. Overall, 58.4% (80/137) of the participants had blood mercury exceeding the occupational exposure threshold (blood mercury ≥5μg/L). T3(P<0.0001) and T4(P<0.0001) were significantly reduced among the exposed group compared to the non-exposed. TSH showed no significant variation between the exposed and non-exposed groups. Longer work duration (≥5years), gold amalgamation, gold smelting and sucking of excess mercury with the mouth were associated with increased odds of mercury exposure. Blood mercury showed negative correlation with T3(r = -0.29, P<0.0001), and T4(r = -0.69, P<0.0001...Continue Reading

References

Aug 1, 1975·Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·F M LinC R Sierra
May 1, 1991·Human & Experimental Toxicology·A J McGregor, H J Mason
Apr 1, 1987·Environmental Research·K YoshidaH Saito
Mar 1, 1980·Journal of Pharmacobio-dynamics·J KawadaK Mitani
May 18, 2001·International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health·P L DrakeF M Jenkins
Feb 9, 2002·Environmental Health Perspectives·Thomas W Clarkson
May 8, 2002·Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·A A Adimado, D A Baah
Sep 16, 2006·Critical Reviews in Toxicology·Thomas W Clarkson, Laszlo Magos
Feb 21, 2008·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·Jacqueline JonklaasSteven J Soldin
Sep 16, 2008·Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association·Jacqueline JonklaasSteven J Soldin
Mar 13, 2009·Critical Reviews in Toxicology·Shirlee W TanKathryn R Mahaffey
May 26, 2009·Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews·Ivo IavicoliAntonio Bergamaschi
Sep 8, 2009·Environmental Science & Technology·Haruka WadaWilliam A Hopkins
Jun 22, 2010·Toxicology·Nicholas V C Ralston, Laura J Raymond
Feb 15, 2011·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Chavon R WilliamsJaco M Nel
Sep 1, 2005·Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology·Farhana ZahirRizwan H Khan
May 1, 2010·Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology·S ObiriS J Cobbina
Apr 20, 2014·Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health = Yebang Ŭihakhoe Chi·Kevin M RiceEric R Blough
Feb 18, 2017·The Pan African Medical Journal·Ebenezer Kofi MensahKofi Mensah Nyarko

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 20, 2019·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Chi ZhangFen Huang
Dec 14, 2019·International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health·M M CorreiaL A A Pereira
Nov 9, 2019·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Maryam RezaeiSamaneh Nakhaee
Jun 14, 2019·Frontiers in Public Health·Justice AfrifaRosemary Doe Sorkpor
Mar 7, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Min YangHuaqing Chen
Jul 3, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Mirjana Babić LekoTatijana Zemunik
Sep 23, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Alex Kwasi Saim

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

R
SPSS
Graph pad prism

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.