Chemical exposures in mining

Chemical exposures in mining severely impact worker health, causing severe illness, disability, and death from conditions like mercury poisoning, respiratory failure, organ damage, and cancers, with workers in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in developing countries being especially vulnerable. The International Labour Organization (ILO) identifies common culprits like mercury, cyanide, sulfuric acid, lead, and various particulates (e.g., silica dust, diesel particulate matter), and advocates for stronger chemical safety measures and standards to protect miners and foster sustainable work environments.