Percepción sobre daños a la salud y utilidad de medidas de protección de personas expuestas ocupacionalmente al mercurio en la minería del oro
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Corporación Universitaria Lasallista
Abstract
Introduction. Since colony times, the village of
Segovia has had gold mining as its main economic
activity. The artisanal exploitation of this metal has
impacted the health of the population. Objective.
To describe the perception about the harm on
health and the protection measures for the people
occupationally exposed to mercury vapor in gold
mining activities developed in Segovia (Colombia)
in 2011. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional
descriptive study applied to a sample of 56 people,
occupationally exposed to mercury vapor in Segovia
in 2011. A questionnaire with social-demographic
variables was applied to them, and it included
their perception about health harm and about the
protection measures to reduce their exposition to the
mercury vapor. Results. 96.4% of the participants
perceived that mercury is harmful for health. 16.1%
of the participants said they have consulted a health
service unit some time in their lifetimes due to health
problems related to their occupational exposition. A
significant correlation between the use of the security
equipment and the perception that such equipment
provides protection was found. Conclusion. The
group studied has some incorrect perceptions about
protection measures, and this can be related to the
high proportion of health problems associated to the
exposition aforementioned.
Description
Keywords
Corporación Universitaria Lasallista, Minería, Minería aurífera, Intoxicación por mercurio, Contaminación ambiental, Contaminación por mercurio, Municipio de Segovia