general knowledge refresher Published this article page no 92 Consensus is building among various stakeholders meeting in Bali Indonesia to adopt a nonbinding declaration that will enhance international cooperation and coordination for combating illegal trade in mercury a major pollutant globally. The Government of Indonesia as well as the United Nations have sought support and commitment from parties to the Minamata Convention for a Bali Declaration on combating Global Illegal Trade of Mercury. The nonbinding declaration calls upon parties to 166 1. Develop practical tools and notification and informationsharing systems for monitoring and managing trade in mercury. 2. Exchange experiences and practices relating to combating illegal trade in mercury including reducing the use of mercury in artisanal and smallscale gold mining. 3. Share examples of national legislation and data and information related to such trade. Basics about Mercury Sources Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air water and soil. Released into the atmosphere through natural processes such as weathering of rocks volcanic eruptions geothermal activities forest fires etc. Mercury is also released through human activities. Mercury may have toxic effects on the nervous digestive and immune systems and on lungs kidneys skin and eyes. Chemical of major public health concernMercury is considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern. Minamata Disease A disorder caused by methylmercury poisoning that was first described in the inhabitants of Minamata Bay Japan and resulted from their eating fish contaminated with mercury industrial waste. About the Minamata Convention The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury and its compounds. It was agreed at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Geneva Switzerland 2013. It entered into force in 2017 general knowledge refresher buy.
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