Experts Call for International Action to Address Threats Posed by Mercury

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http://www.psr.org/eupdate1002.html#_Toxics_&_Safe

Experts Call for International Action to Address Threats Posed by Mercury

Some 150 chemical experts from around the world have called for international action to address the threat to human health and the environment caused by exposure to mercury. Possible options range from establishing a nonbinding global action program on mercury, to beginning negotiations toward a legally binding international treaty to restrict mercury use.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) convened the expert group in September to discuss evidence of global adverse impacts from mercury and possible international actions to reduce the risks. UNEP’s Governing Council will review the group’s list of options next February.

According to UNEP, an estimated 5,000-10,000 tons of mercury are thought to enter the global environment each year. As much as 75 percent may originate from human activities, with coal-fired power plants and municipal and medical waste incinerators among the major sources.

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