It is $134-million initiative led by UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
About Project
- Aim
- Phase out mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers at a rate of 20% annually, and reduce mercury spillages.
- Encourage adoption of accurate, affordable and safe mercury-free alternatives, while improving management of mercury-containing medical waste.
- Member countries: Albania, Burkina Faso, India, Montenegro, and Uganda.
- Funding: By Global Environment Facility.
- Execution: By World Health Organisation.
About Mercury
- It is a naturally occurring element found in air, water and soil.
- It is the only metal which is found in liquid state at room temperature.
- It is a persistent, bio-accumulative, toxic pollutant.
- All humans are exposed to low levels of mercury.
- Several countries and international organizations have established reference levels for daily or weekly methyl-mercury or mercury intakes that are estimated to be safe (or without appreciable risk to health).
- Sources: Gold mining, Coal-based thermal power plant, Volcanic emissions, etc.
- Effect:
- Toxic effects on nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
- Minamata disease is a chronic neurological disorder caused by methyl-mercury, a heavy metal with many industrial uses.
- When released into environment, it accumulates in water laid sediments where it converts into toxic methyl-mercury and enters food chain.
- Toxic effects on nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
Minamata Convention on Mercury
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