Peru: Mercury, a real threat

Among the many negative effects of illegal and informal mining, mercury poisoning is one of them. Mercury is used primarily in artisanal gold extraction for the purpose of separating the precious metal from the rock and other sediments. To have an idea of how much mercury is being used; suffice it to quote authoritative studies that signal around 32 tons of mercury thrown into the rivers in Madre de Dios every year and nearly 400 tons of mercury thrown during the last decade alone. Other studies reveal that 3 out of 12 fish species sold in the market in Huepetuhe, a town in Madre de Dios, surpass the permissible levels of mercury and that 29% of the population in that same area have high levels of mercury concentration in their bodies. The inhalation of mercury in its gaseous state, the exposure to contaminated waters, and the eating of contaminated seafood can all produce mercury poisoning.
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-mercury-real-threat-101198