Mercury is a toxic metal that can harm the brain, lungs, kidneys and immune system.
It is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. Mercury pollution often results from industrial activities, including small-scale gold mining, and can travel long distances through air and water.
The citizens of Minamata, Japan, suffered for decades from mercury poisoning, after a chemical plant began discharging large amounts of contaminated water into the city’s bay in the early 1930s.
Devastating effect
Fish and shellfish contaminated with mercury and those eating it have suffered devastating symptoms ranging from tremors, hearing loss, paralysis and death.
Pregnant women pass on serious disabilities to their unborn children, such as blindness, deafness, and severe mental disabilities.
Eventually, the public outcry led to an international treaty, the Minamata Convention, that came into force in 2017 to limit mercury emissions and use of the metal, and prevent further such tragedies.
As part of the agreement, delegates from governments, the United Nations, intergovernmental agencies, civil society, indigenous peoples and youth meet every two years to review progress and push for further action.
Globally, up to 20 million miners work in artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations, which experts say are often unregulated and unsafe.
On Monday, the sixth conference opened in Geneva, where delegates hope to accelerate the phase-out of products that still contain mercury, such as batteries, light bulbs and cosmetics – and cut emissions from factories and other sources.
They will also discuss ways to improve support to countries that need assistance to meet their commitments, including financing and technical advice.
Laying the foundations
In her opening remarks, Elizabeth Mrema, Vice-President of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), emphasized the progress made in helping countries understand the scale of mercury use and emissions, “and laying the foundations for effective action.”
Ms. Mariama also indicated that it was twentyy Anniversary of the UNEP-led Global Mercury Partnership that brings together nearly 300 partners from the public and private sectors to raise awareness of the need for global action on mercury.
The group has helped countries develop national action plans to eliminate the use of mercury – which poses a serious health risk to miners – in small-scale gold mining operations.
