Mercury exposure in a low-income community in South Africa

Coal combustion and gold mining are sources of mercury pollution.1,2 Estimates suggest that South Africa is second only to China in terms of mercury emissions to the environment.1 However, refined estimates indicate that lower levels emanate from coal combustion in power plants.3 More than 90 % of electricity generated in South Africa is from coal-fired power plants that are considered to be the biggest source of mercury in the country as they consume 112 Mt of coal annually, and release 9.8 t of mercury. Comparing the per capita emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants in South Africa to thos