Some artisanal miners across the country are reportedly exposing themselves and their family members to mercury poisoning through inhaling vapour and smoke during gold processing. Reports say at times the panners also swallow gold nuggets laced with mercury to evade the police. Most of the panners prefer handling the mercury without protective clothing for fear of losing some gold particles. Mercury poisoning occurs through inhaling or coming into contact with vapour and ingestion, which can lead to headaches, loss of coordination, visual impairment and reduced ability to think, among other symptoms.
http://www.chronicle.co.zw/mercury-poisoning-rampant-among-artisanal-miners/
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