Mercury has become global concern due to its toxicity and capability to bioaccumulate in the food chain mainly in the organic form. Current research has suggested that rice plant also plays significant role in mercury exposure to humans. Accumulation of mercury in rice will be high risk for the people who consume the rice. Ingestion of mercury in a long term may accumulate in the body organs and lead to nervous system damage, developmental disorders, immunological, and endocrine disruption effects. Mercury in environmental media and typical symptoms of mercury intoxication among residents were collected to evaluate rice ingestion exposure and manifestation of toxic effects among inhabitants. Soil and rice paddy (Oryza sativa) samples were collected from rice field around ASGM area in Lebaksitu village, Indonesia. The total mercury (THg) was determined with thermal combustion method by atomic absorption spectrometry. Demographic and toxicity symptoms data were conducted using questionnaires with the assistance of public health officer. Our results showed elevated concentration of mercury in soil and rice around 500 meters from ASGM. Meanwhile, the concentration became sharply decreasing along with increase in distance (>1000 meters from mining site). About 30% of respondents were reported to have mercury toxicity symptoms ranging from mild to severe. There was statistically significant between reported symptoms and living area to the mercury hotspot. Meanwhile, age and length of stay also contribute to the manifestation of symptoms. Respondents with severe symptoms were reported having tremors, salivation, sleep disturbance, and poor appetite. In this study, we also found that daily mercury intake through rice consumption approaching the reference dose, but no significant differences between daily intake and symptoms among respondents. This results suggested that rice is a potential source of mercury exposure to people living around ASGM area who consume the rice as staple food. Ingesting of mercury-contaminated rice has led to severe impact on human health.
