Philippines: Misguided commentary on Executive Order 79

The below excerpt from commentary on Executive order 79 shows the lack of information regarding the dangers of mercury use in gold mining. Touching the mercury is just one of several ways to be infected. Vapors and soil contamination are just two.
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There is one item in the order that prohibits the use of mercury by the small miners. (The big miners hardly use it.)  There seems to be no valid reason to make such an order. There is little evidence that the Minamata disease has lifted its head in 30 years of careless use of mercury in Diwalwal. And there should be no reason for the disease to bring havoc to the small miners if only they would use plastic bags strewn around from the grocery stores when handling mercury. At present many small miners handle the mercury with bare hands instead of picking up a plastic bag that lie around everywhere. Another item that may cause problems is the possible delay in needed legislation.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/365642/executive-order-79-on-mining