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Artisanal gold mining activities in developing countries are still in concern with environmental dan health issues regarding the impact that results from the activities. Amalgamation technique was commonly used in extracting gold from the ore using mercury. In processing the gold, mercury releases into the environment in its metallic form and as mercury vapor. Small amounts of mercury releases to environment and ss consequences, mercury can harm human who work or live near mining area. Mercury is a highly toxic metal and it can penetrate nervous systems as the main target organ. Acute and chronic neurological disturbances can also be experienced by the communities. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between occupation in the mining process, long time of mercury exposure and neurological status disturbances in communities near artisanal gold mining area in West Aceh, Aceh Province, Indonesia. A cross sectional design was conducted with 78 respondents who lived in villages namely, Paya Seumantok, Panggong, and Curek. Samples were collected by random sampling and respondents were interviewed and running general physical examination. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square test at α = 0,05.  The results of this study showed that occupation in mining process has relationship with neurological status disturbances (p=0,004) whereas long time of mercury exposure showed no relationship to neurological status disturbances (p=0,650). Respondents have experienced neurological disturbances such as headache (48,7%), insomnia (37,2 %), tremor (10,3%), memory loss and mood changes (9,0%), hearing impairment and somatosensory disturbances (3,8%). It can be concluded  that efforts have to be made in monitoring and evaluation by local government and stakeholders on artisanal gold mining in the areas to prevent widespread of epidemy on mercury disasters. It is also needed to follow up the neurological status clinically by supporting examination on individual’s health status.

Neurological Status Disturbances Caused by Mercury Exposures from Artisanal Gold Mining Area in West Aceh, Aceh Province