A legally binding agreement to reduce global mercury emissions was signed by 140 countries in January this year, amid delight that an important milestone had been reached in the control of toxic mercury emissions. However, the effectiveness of the treaty will be assessed by a panel of experts during ‘Mercury 2013’ - the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP) which will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland, from 28th July – 2nd August 2013.
The negotiations which led to the development of the treaty were convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the signatories will implement controls and reductions across a range of products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted. These range from thermometers and energy-saving light bulbs to emissions from the mining, cement and coal-fired power sectors. The treaty also addresses the direct mining of mercury, export and import of the metal and safe storage of waste mercury.
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