What's New

Story of the Month - April 2012

An improved understanding of mercury dispersion in the environment is important to support policy-makers in decision-making.  The Global Mercury Observation System (GMOS) (www.gmos.eu) is a first attempt to conduct worldwide measurements of mercury from both natural and anthropogenic sources.

The project is being implemented by a consortium led by the Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IIA, www.iia.cnr.it) and is a major contribution to UNEP’s Mercury Air Transport and Fate Research Partnership Area.  The project is funded by the European Union.

GMOS is taking mercury measurements from ground-based monitoring stations, from ships and from aircraft in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. These efforts will result in an integrated global database that provides information on mercury concentrations and fluxes in and between the atmosphere as well as marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.  The database is expected to be available towards the end of the project in 2015. In addition, emissions forecasts for 2030 are currently under development based on 2005 global mercury emissions data from UNEP and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme .

Overall, GMOS will provide an improved world-wide overview of mercury distribution in the environment and refined atmospheric mercury transport models predicting transport and fluxes of mercury. By linking these models to emission source data, policy-makers will be able to focus on key issues and implement cost-effective actions.

Story of the Month - March 2012

Understanding the Largest Demand Sector for Mercury: Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM)

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a complex global development issue that presents challenges and opportunities in many countries. Estimates put mercury use in ASGM at approximately 1400 tonne/year in 2011, making it the largest mercury demand sector globally. Virtually all of the mercury used is released to the environment.

Due to the often informal and sometimes illegal status of the sector in many countries, lack of reliable data is considered to be one of the biggest challenges in addressing the issues of the sector.

The Mercury Watch Database (www.mercurywatch.org) is a project of the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) and is supported by the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership. The project is dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information needs about mercury use and emissions around the world in ASGM.

The website is the only global data-base and includes up to date current inventory information including estimated number of miners, mercury use and ASGM gold produced  in a country. Data is obtained through National inventory data (if available) and inter alia supplemented by academic research, field visits etc.

Mercury use and release inventories play an important role in identifying priorities in future work and tracking progress. The data will also help inform the governments in developing strategic actions for reducing, and where feasible, eliminating mercury use in ASGM.

Phasing-out Mercury Containing Medical-Measuring Devices: Developing Countries Prove that Change is Possible 

Today, a large number of hospitals in developing countries have banned mercury-containing medical devices such as fever thermometers and blood pressure devices, proving that the shift to mercury-free products is feasible.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Health-Care-Without-Harm (HCWH) are contributing to the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership through the Global Mercury Free Health Care Initiative.  This Initiative helps to design and implement phase-out policies in hospitals.  Part of the strategy is to build capacity in large cities for phase-out action.  To date, phase-out actions have been undertaken in Mexico City, Dakar, Rio de Janeiro and Beijing, amongst others.

Leadership in Hg-Phase-out

In 2010 the Philippines was the first developing country to ban mercury devices in all of its hospitals. Argentina and India initiated similar national policies.

Affordable and Accurate Substitutes Exist

Several studies show that accurate mercury-free instruments are available. Their usage saves money compared to mercury-devices when their complete life-cycle costs are considered. The Economics of Conversion to Mercury-Free Products study (UNEP, 2010) shows that the transition cost for manufacturers is also minimal. Additional research is underway among Chinese manufacturers and will be released in April 2012.

A mercury-free solar-powered blood-pressure measuring device that requires minimal  training to be used is now available. It is one example of an innovative alternative to mercury devices  that is adaptable for healthcare needs even  when limited resources are available.

Kyrgyz Republic Primary Mercury Mine Project
attracts new funds

The Kyrgyz Republic operates, in the town of Khairdarken, the last primary mercury mine known to export mercury to the global market-place, representing approximately 10% of the global mercury market. A project to support the Kyrgyz Republic transition away from mercury mining has been on-going since 2008 with project support from UNEP, UNDP, UNITAR and ZOI Environment Network.

The Government of Norway granted 850,000 US$ of new funding in November 2011 to the project. With these funds as the core source of co-finance, UNEP is supporting the Kyrgyz Republic in the preparation of a medium size proposal to the Global Environment Facility (GEF).  
The main contributors to the project so far have included the United States of America, Norway and Switzerland.  
Those interested in contributing to the project should contact mercury@unep.org.  Overall efforts focus on the following pillars:  

I.    Reduction of most immediate threats posed by the mine site to the environment and people;  
II.    Promotion of investment in other economic development activities in the region;
III.    Promotion of local alternative employment in the region.