At least 13 million small-scale miners worldwide dig for gold in informal, small-scale mines, and virtually all of them use mercury. Mercury is a highly poisonous metal that attacks the central nervous system and is particularly harmful for children. Unfortunately, most miners do not know this, nor are hospitals equipped to address the problem. Aminata says: "I know mercury is dangerous but do not know how. I do not protect myself."....................
A lot is at stake. For the mercury treaty to become a strong and effective tool, it must mandate legally binding measures for reducing mercury, preventing harm to people's health and providing healthcare. Unfortunately, many governments - particularly Canada, the United States and the European Union - are reluctant to include specific health prevention and treatment strategies in the treaty. They contend that this treaty is about the environment, that health measures would make the treaty too expensive or that they are already sufficiently covered.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/01/10/last-chance-take-action-mercury-poisoning
No comments:
Post a Comment