March 2017 Vol.5 No.1

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Original Research Article

Gold mining activities' impact on Human and Environmental Health in Macalder Migori, Kenya: Possible Interventions

Veronica Ngure^1*, Francis K. Lelo² and Benson Obwanga¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Laikipia University, Kenya, P. O. Box 1100-20300, Nyahururu, Kenya
²PAES Department, Laikipia University, Kenya, P. O. Box 1100-20300, Nyahururu, Kenya

*Corresponding Author Email: vngure@yahoo.com
vera2014ngure@gmail.com

Accepted January 15, 2017

Abstract

Potentially harmful elements (PHE) are usually bio accumulated and bio transferred both by natural and anthropogenic sources. The contamination of soils and water by PHE is a major issue faced throughout the world. Attention need to be focused on the PHE because they pose a great health risk to both plants and animals and humans through the food chain. Some of these PHE are essential for proper metabolism in all living organisms yet toxic at high concentrations; while other metals currently thought of as non-essential are toxic even at relatively low concentrations. Potentially harmful elements such as Mercury (Hg), Arsenic(As), lead(Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium(Cr), Copper(Cu) and Zinc(Zn) were analyzed in drinking water, soils, scalp hair and nails of female adults in the low lying areas of Migori Gold Mining Belt, who were working in the small scale mines. The control study area involved female adults in the highland regions of Eldoret Municipality which is part of the water catchment area of Lake Victoria. The samples were processed, packed and shipped for analysis in ACME Laboratories, Vancouver, Canada. The results revealed that the exposure to contaminants from gold mining activities have significantly increased the concentrations of selected metals in the bodies of the target group. Mercury, As, Pb and Cd concentrations in nails showed elevated levels reported in occupationally exposed resident. Lead, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in the hair samples collected from the polluted area as compared to control area. The research indicated that the women in the mines are exposed to high health risks associated with PHE exposure due to exposure in the gold mining activities. The study recommends strict adherence to safety measures and remediation practices that would reduce health risks and the degradation of the environment. Education and drastic interventions need be encouraged to protect the workers from multiple health risks associated with gold mining in Migori Gold Belt in Kenya.

Keywords: Exposures, Gold mines, Humanhair, Human nails, PHE