A scientific review of 45 studies across Ghana has raised concerns about potentially dangerous levels of toxic metals in vegetables grown in communities affected by illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The study, published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, examined how pollutants such as lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury and arsenic move from contaminated soil and irrigation water into commonly consumed vegetables, including tomatoes, pepper, garden eggs and onions.
Led by Eric Osei Bonsu of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute in Kumasi, the research reviewed evidence from 11 mining districts and identified potential public health risks associated with consuming vegetables grown in some mining-affected areas.
Toxic Metals Found in Vegetables Near Mining Sites
The researchers found that cadmium showed a particularly high rate of transfer from soil into tomatoes and garden eggs. In some cases, transfer factors exceeded 1.0, meaning the concentration of the metal in the vegetables could equal or surpass that in the soil.
The review also identified locations where lead, arsenic and mercury levels in vegetables exceeded limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FAO Codex Alimentarius.
Some of the highest contamination levels were reported at specific sites in the Ashanti and Western Regions. According to the reviewed studies, arsenic concentrations reached up to 200 times the relevant safety limit, while mercury levels reached as high as 400 times the limit.
The findings highlight concerns about the impact of illegal mining on agricultural land, food safety and public health in Ghana.
Galamsey Pollution Raises Public Health Concerns
The researchers reported that the cumulative hazard index exceeded 1.0 in every mining-adjacent community with sufficient data for assessment. This suggests a potential non-cancer health risk from repeated consumption of vegetables contaminated with multiple toxic metals.
However, the findings relate to particular contaminated locations and do not mean that all vegetables produced in Ghana are unsafe for consumption.
The study highlights how galamsey pollution may extend beyond the destruction of rivers and forests to threaten food production and the safety of agricultural produce in affected communities.
Researchers Call for Regular Food Safety Testing
The research team has recommended regular testing of vegetables, agricultural soils and irrigation water in communities located near illegal mining operations.
Consumers and farmers are also encouraged to wash and handle vegetables carefully after harvesting to remove contaminants attached to their surfaces. However, the researchers cautioned that washing cannot eliminate heavy metals already absorbed into the internal tissues of plants.
The study further recommends establishing agricultural buffer zones around mining operations based on local contamination evidence rather than applying the same distance to every community.
The authors also called for further research into the chemical forms of chromium and arsenic, the combined effects of different toxic metals and long-term human biomonitoring to determine whether food contamination is reflected in people’s bodies.
Galamsey’s Impact on Agriculture and Food Security
The findings add to growing concerns about the environmental and economic consequences of illegal mining in Ghana, particularly in communities where farming and mining activities take place close together.
Bonsu acknowledged the contributions of his co-authors and colleagues at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute and the CSIR College of Science and Technology.
He said the research aims to broaden public discussion about galamsey beyond water pollution and forest destruction to include the potential risks posed by contaminated food on Ghanaian plates.
The study underscores the importance of environmental protection, responsible mining practices, agricultural monitoring and stronger food safety measures to protect farmers, consumers and communities affected by illegal mining.
Source: newsthemegh.com