Exposure to Arsenic in Drinking Water and Health Symptoms in Tamso, Tarkwa.
Date
2018-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: Mining and ore processing produces effluents and waste which contains
heavy metals such as Arsenic, Cadmium, lead, Mercury and Chromium which are
deleterious to human health. The activities of the mine even though it is economically
important has also introduced biological and environmental dilemmas to communities that
live close to these mines and such the reason for this study. Increased environmental and
biological levels coupled with long exposure to these metals results in bioaccumulation in
target organs which results certain health symptoms. Previous research works have
confirmed increased levels of heavy metals in the tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality. However,
no studies have been conducted to confirm its presence in the natives living around the
mines.
Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess exposure to Arsenic (As) and
its association with self-reported health symptoms among residents in Tamso, Tarkwa.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from May to June 2018 among 106
purposively sampled residents of Tamso in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality. Interviews
were conducted using a structured health symptoms questionnaire. In a sub sample of 50
residents, urine and drinking water samples were taken accordingly. Mean values and
standard deviations of arsenic in drinking water and urine were computed. The
relationship between the level of arsenic in drinking water and urine and health symptoms
were assessed.
Results: The mean age the study participants was 40.2 years. Most (83.96%) of the
participants were aware that their drinking water source was polluted by mining activities
and 83.01% were also certain that the pollution could lead to certain health problems in
the future. Headache (83%), excessive phlegm production (65%), Itchy eyes (70%) and
skin rash (69%) were common among study participants. Mean level of arsenic in drinking
(WAs) was 5.63μg/L and that in urine (UAs) was 6.36μg/L. There was a significant
association between UAs and memory (p=0.04) but not for the other health outcomes.
Again, WAs was associated with excessive phlegm production (p=0.05). Living within
250m of a mining activity was associated with excessive phlegm production (p=0.035)
and itching eye (0.038).
Conclusion: Some self-reported symptoms were identified among study participants.
Arsenic level in water was within the WHO guideline of 10 μg/L. Study participants
living within 250m were at risk of selected health outcomes.
Description
Thesis (MPh)
Keywords
Heavy metal, Arsenic, Health symptoms, Mining, Drinking water, Urine, Tamso