Published: Date Published – 06:14 PM, Tue 29 March 22
Hyderabad:Mercury (Hg), is a pollutant that can affect human and ecosystem health. Mercury exposure can have serious and sometimes irreversible toxic consequences for our health. Young children and pregnant women are at greatest risk. Mercury pollution can also be harmful to wildlife and ecosystems. Learn more about mercury pollution, and how it affects the environment.
Mercury is naturally found in the earth’s crust. However, human activities such as mining and fossil fuel burning have caused widespread mercury pollution. Mercury that is emitted into the atmosphere eventually settles into water, or onto land where it may be washed into water.
Certain microorganisms can transform methylmercury into toxic form if it is deposited. It builds up in fish, shellfish, fish, and other fish-eating animals. Nearly all people have at least trace amounts methylmercury in their bodies, a sign of its widespread presence in the environment. Certain communities consume significantly more fish than the rest of the population and may be more susceptible to mercury contamination.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), considers Mercury to be one of the top ten or groups of chemicals that are of major public health concern.
Regulation of mercury usage
Indonesia has issued a global declaration urging all parties to Minamata Convention on Mercury’s illegal trade to be stopped. The declaration was read at Nusa Dua in Bali, where Indonesia hosts the fourth Conference of Parties (COP4) of the Minamata Convention. The conference took place from 21 to 25 February 2022.
Minamata Convention on Mercury
- The Minamata Convention on Mercury (Global Treaty on Mercury) is a global agreement to protect the environment and human health from adverse effects of mercury or its compounds.
- It was agreed upon at the fifth session Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee Geneva, Switzerland 2013.
- All countries that have ratified and accepted the Convention are required by international law to set up these controls. India has ratified it.
The Declaration’s Objectives
Parties are urged to make the non-binding declaration.
- For monitoring and managing mercury trade, develop practical tools and information-sharing and notification systems.
- Exchange of experiences and best practices in combating illegal mercury trade, including the reduction of mercury use in small-scale and artisanal gold mining.
- Share examples of national legislation and data related to such trade.
Sources for mercury
- Natural sources: Volcanic explosions and oceanic emissions.
- Anthropogenic (human caused) mercury emissions: This includes mercury that is released by fuels or raw materials or from products or industrial processes. Globally, Artisanal (or small-scale) gold mining (ASGM), is the largest source (37.7%), and it is followed by stationary combustion of carbon (21%).
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