Context:
UNEP launched Phasing out mercury measuring devices in healthcare project
The Project:
- Objectives –
- Phase out mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers at a rate of 20% annually, and reduce mercury spillages.
- Encourage adoption of accurate, affordable and safe mercury-free alternatives, while improving management of mercury-containing medical waste.
- Member countries – Albania, Burkina Faso, India, Montenegro, and Uganda.
- Funding – Global Environment Facility.
- Execution – World Health Organisation
Mercury:
- Toxic heavy metal
- Also known as – Quick silver
- Sources –
- Mining
- Coal combustion
- Present in products like batteries
- Impacts –
- Toxic effects on nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
- Minamata disease is a chronic neurological disorder caused by methyl-mercury, a heavy metal with many industrial uses.
- When released into environment, it accumulates in water laid sediments where it converts into toxic methyl mercury and enters food chain
- Mitigation efforts – UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, Minamata Convention
Source: UNEP
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
