Studies by scientists have revealed that the health effects of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, on Ghanaians living in mining areas are becoming more damaging to pregnant women and new-born babies.
The chemicals and metals used in these mining activities such as mercury, lead and arsenic pollute water bodies, the soil and even the air, which have been harmful to the health of residents in galamsey communities.
According to the studies done in the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Western North, Central and Ahafo Regions, mercury pollution has significantly caused the deaths of pregnant women and their babies in these areas.
These came up at the launch of a research project aimed at studying the health effects of chemicals used in illegal mining and finding an antidote to correct the damages these chemicals cause to the human body.