Small-scale gold extraction industries make up an estimated 20 percent of the world's gold production, but according to the report, they release more mercury into the environment than any other industry, putting nearly 3.5 million people at risk from mercury poisoning. While people involved in gold extraction can ingest mercury vapor directly, millions of others are being exposed to the heavy metal as it is easily absorbed through waterways and soil and through fish in the food chain.
http://www.voanews.com/a/world-health-toxins-report/3565978.html
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