Mercury is one of the most dangerous environmental toxins, which are threatening both human health and the environment. Over time mercury has been concentrating in the soil, water and living organisms.

Although it’s potentially toxic in highly contaminated areas, research has shown that mercury can be a threat to the health of people and wildlife in many environments that are not obviously polluted.

Main sources of mercury contamination

Metal processing, coal incineration, of municipal and medical waste, gold mining, discharge from hydroelectric, mining and paper industries, cement production and accidental spillages.

Effects of mercury on the environment

Mercury that is released into the air may settle into water bodies and affect water quality and if it accumulates in fish in large qualities it may harm the fish and the other animals that eat them.

Mercury exposure on wildlife can include mortality (death), reduced fertility, slower growth and development and abnormal behaviour that affects survival.

Research indicates that the endocrine system of fish, which plays an important role in fish development and reproduction, may be altered by the levels of mercury found in the environment.

Once present in aquatic ecosystems, elemental and inorganic mercury can undergo chemical transformations to methylated mercury species and enter the food web and high level predators such as birds, sea mammals and humans could be in danger of contamination.

On human beings

Continuous exposure to elemental mercury causes tremors, gingivitis, and excitability. At very high levels, inhalation of elemental mercury can cause death.

In children mercury can impair neurological development. Mercury exposure in the womb can adversely affect a baby’s growing brain and nervous system.

It also affects cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to mercury in the womb.

Other effects include impairment of the peripheral vision, disturbances in sensations (“pins and needles” feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth), lack of co-ordination of movements, impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and muscle weakness.

On animals

Mercury exposure in animals affects the immune system, alters genetic and enzyme systems, and damages the nervous system.

Common sources of high levels of mercury contamination

These are usually confined to industrial settings or mercury spill events.
What should happen in case of a mercury spillage?

In the case of a spillage a report should be made to EMA within 24 hours. The agency sends a reaction team to neutralize the toxic substances following which an investigation will be conducted. The cleaning up of the spillage lies with the company or individual responsible for the truck.

What is Zimbabwe doing about mercury?

There is an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Mercury to develop a legally binding instrument on mercury that Zimbabwe is a member of. The instrument proposes a progressive and systematic phasing out of the use of mercury and mercury based products overtime. The document will be binding on all member states that accede to the document and they will be obliged to adhere to its provisions.

The instrument will also put restrictive measures on the use of mercury especially in the mining sector. Since mining contributes 4 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product the restrictive use of mercury will affect the economy especially the estimated 25 000 small-scale gold miners who are using mercury extensively.

The draft text for a Global Legally Binding Instrument on mercury is a document that seeks to address the globally recognised health and environmental problems associated with the use of mercury in mining, industrial and commercial                                                                 activities.

Currently, no legislation exists that effectively controls the use of this dangerous substance thus leaving loopholes which can be exploited at the expense of the health of the general population of Zimbabwe and also the preservation of our environment.

What does the law say about mercury?

Environmental Management Act Cap (20:27) as read with S.I 12 of 2007 states that, any person who imports, transports, stores or sells any hazardous substance must have a license for each purpose.

The 2013 World Environment Day commemoration will be held in the form of an environment expo, where there will be exhibitions and paper presentations on the following theme: Think, Eat, Save — Promoting Sustainable Consumption

Those willing to present papers should send an abstract of not more than 400 words to the following emails: [email protected], [email protected]. The submissions should be made before May 17, 2013

Please note:
Exhibition space and presentation of papers is free of charge

For more information you can contact the following: V. Gundu, Y. Chingarande, T. Njovana, K. Mupandaguta on (04)701681-3.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management invites individuals, companies, institutions and organisations who wish to participate in this event to register with the Ministry

Date: 5 June 2013
Time: 0830hrs-600hrs
Venue: Meikles Hotel, Harare
Exhibitions: Africa Unity Square

l Please talk to us. We are always ready to listen. Email: [email protected]; Tel: 04 305543 Toll-free 08080028.

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