The international Zero Mercury Working Group released a study called “Mercury in Fish: An Urgent Global Health Concern”. The study investigates the significant global human health hazards caused by mercury in fish and fish-eating marine mammals. The problem demands an effective response from governments and the United Nations.

According to the report, the risk is greatest:

• populations whose per capita fish consumption is high
• in areas where pollution has elevated the average mercury content of fish

In addition, the study shows that methylmercury hazards still exist where these dietary and local pollutant levels are less prevalent.

This study is released as the world’s governments convene next week in Nairobi to discuss developing a legally binding treaty on mercury at the United Nations Environment Programme Global Council.

Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, the Zero Mercury Campaign Coordinator, hopes that “all governments should consider these results and agree launching an International Negotiating Committee (INC) to start work immediately on a global mercury treaty, in Nairobi next week.”

The complete report can be downloaded in English here

The executive summary is available from the HEAL website in:

• English
• Spanish
• French
• Portugese
• Chinese

The full press release can be downloaded in English here

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 Mercury discussions at the UNEP Global Council could pave way to global ban