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Artisanal mining and erosion of metalbearing soils can contaminate aquatic ecosystems and affect the health of riparian human populations, through metal bio-accumulation processes and fish consumption. Concentrations of eight trace metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Zn) and a metalloid (As) were measured in the muscle tissue of different edible fish species collected from markets of two cities along the Beni River banks, in the Bolivian Amazon. Relationships between the size of fish belonging to different trophic levels (carnivores, omnivores, detritivores and herbivorous) from four different fishing zones were analyzed. The most relevant results corresponded to the detritivore group, whose members exhibited significant positive correlations between the fish size and the concentration of three metals (cadmium, cobalt and nickel). Furthermore, a 3 × 3 scenario-risk analysis was performed to assess local risk for human health. This was done by relating three different scenarios of local fish consumption collected from literature (maximum, average and minimum) and three different levels of trace element concentrations (95th, 50th and 5th percentile) derived from the present study and the Minimal Risk Levels suggested by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Results of these calculations determined the amount of fish muscle per contaminant that could be consumed per day without risking human's health. Finally, Target Hazard Quotients were calculated for each trace element, aiming to indicate the potential exposure to each one and the concentration at which no adverse effects are expected. The obtained results made clear that mercury is the only trace element that represents an important health risk to humans within the studied region, considering most of the combinations in the 3 × 3 analysis. Chronic mercury intoxication could occur when consumption of fish in Riberalta or Rurrenabaque exceeded 83 g/day in females and 110 g/day in males.

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Mineral resource exploitation is one of the activities that contribute to economic growth and the development of society. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is one of these activities. Unfortunately, there is no clear consensus to define ASM. However, its importance is relevant in that it represents, in some cases, the only employment alternative for millions of people, although it also significantly impacts the environment. This work aims to investigate the scientific information related to ASM through a bibliometric analysis and, in addition, to define the new lines that are tending to this field. The study comprises three phases of work: (i) data collection, (ii) data processing and software selection, and (iii) data interpretation. The results reflect that the study on ASM developed intensively from 2010 to the present. In general terms, the research addressed focuses on four interrelated lines: (i) social conditioning factors of ASM, (ii) environmental impacts generated by ASM, (iii) mercury contamination and its implication on health and the environment, and (iv) ASM as a livelihood. The work also defines that geotourism in artisanal mining areas is a significant trend of the last decade, explicitly focusing on the conservation and use of the geological and mining heritage and, in addition, the promotion of sustainable development of ASM.

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BACKGROUND: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) are an important source of employment in southern Brazil. Mining workers are frequently exposed to unhealthy work conditions which increase the risk of occupational diseases. In this study, we assessed the association of sociodemographic factors and the occupational history of artisanal mining workers with the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes. METHODS: The study was conducted with 258 artisanal mining workers in southern Brazil, who were exposed to dust (mainly crystalline silica) in their work. Information on sociodemographic variables and occupational histories was collected between 2017 and 2018. To estimate the worker's exposure to inhalable dust we use the Advanced REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals) Tool (ART). RESULTS: Study participants were all men, with an average age of 40 years. Median crude dust exposure estimated by ART was 13.2 mg/m³ and median crude crystalline silica exposure was 1.6 mg/m3 . The prevalence ratio (PR) for self-reported silicosis was 3.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.39-7.17) in workers with 20 years or more of mining work. Factors associated with silicosis were age, pack-years of tobacco use, and body mass index. Smokers were over twice as likely to report respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that a high prevalence of silicosis and other associated diseases in mining workers is associated with both unhealthy work environment conditions and the health profile of workers. This study is an important step for understanding health outcomes from work in ASM.

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Resumen Introducción: la minería artesanal de oro es una actividad económica que se realiza principalmente en países de bajos ingresos. Durante esta actividad se utiliza el mercurio para la recuperación de oro, el cual tiene diversas formas de afectación a la salud humana, especialmente por la inhalación del vapor de mercurio. Objetivo: describir los mecanismos de exposición al mercurio de las personas que trabajan en la minería artesanal de oro, en las Juntas de Abangares, Costa Rica, 2015-2016. Materiales y métodos: se aplicó un cuestionario para conocer factores de riesgo. Además, se utilizó una lista de chequeo para observar el proceso de minería artesanal de oro. Finalmente, se realizó la medición de concentraciones de mercurio atmosférico en los lugares de trabajo para conocer los límites de mercurio al que se encontraban expuestas las personas. Resultados: durante el proceso de quemado se libera vapor de mercurio, además, existen factores de riesgo que incrementan el riesgo de intoxicación al mercurio al no utilizar el equipo de protección personal adecuado durante la realización de la actividad minera. Conclusiones: las personas participantes que trabajan en minería artesanal de oro utilizan tecnología que no cuenta con los requisitos necesarios para minimizar sus riesgos, especialmente la retorta y su función de evitar el escape de mercurio.

Abstract Introduction: Artisanal gold mining is an economic activity that is done primarily in low-income countries. During this activity, mercury is used for the recovery of gold, which has various ways of affecting human health, especially by inhalation of mercury vapor. Aim: describe the mechanisms of exposure to mercury from people working in artisanal mining of gold, on the boards of Abangares, Costa Rica, 2015-2016. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was applied to learn about risk factors. In addition, a checklist was used to observe the process of artisanal gold mining. Finally, it was made the measurement of atmospheric mercury concentrations in the workplace to learn the limits of mercury to which people were exposed. Results: The measurements indicated that release of mercury vapor is generated during the burning process, and the personal protective equipment was not suitable during the conduct of mining activity. There are risk factors that increase the risk of mercury poisoning. Conclusions: the participants who work in artisanal gold mining use technology that does not have the necessary requirements to minimize their risks, especially the retort and its function to prevent the escape of mercury.

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