Resources

The report aims to elucidate the fate of mercury within commercial smelters and refiners; estimate the magnitude of potential emissions and releases from the production of non-ferrous metals; and illustrate various technologies for controlling them.

BRI and the Nexus3 Foundation, in collaboration with other nongovernmental organizations, are leading a three-year project to support the Government of Indonesia in restricting mercury supplies, especially for the artisanal small-scale gold mining sector.

« Pour une couleur de peau », les enfants victimes de la dépigmentation. Video focuses on SLP use on children in Togo and Guinea.

The UNEP Global Mercury Partnership and its Area of work on Mercury Releases from the Cement Industry organized an online technical information-sharing session on 23 June 2022.

The event exchanged on current knowledge about best practices to control and reduce emissions of mercury from the cement sector and shared information on available guidance.

In this new edition, learn more about recent and upcoming events, latest mercury-related publications and initiatives, including interactive tools and meet our new members. Good reading!

Mercury emissions, deposition, and releases into the environment explain only part of the spatial story of mercury pollution. Ecosystem sensitivity and food web relationships help further define the actual risks to human and ecosystem health.

Skin lightening might not be a familiar topic to many Americans, but it is an intensely popular subject globally and in some U.S. communities of color: The hashtag #whiteningcream has over 40 million views on TikTok, and products that are promised to bleach or lighten skin tone are readily available both online and at drugstores.

Children's exposure to mercurial skin lightening agents at any time during their development, from intra-uterine to early developmental life, can lead to severe detrimental health effects. This is because these skin lightening agents contain inorganic mercury as their active ingredient at varying concentrations that exceed acceptable levels.

This brochure provides a brief overview on the health and environmental impacts of mercury, cyanide and silica dust in the sector. Chemical risks do not only affect miners, but also their communities. Mercury and cyanide are both highly toxic to human health. However, only mercury persists in the environment and can travel long distances.

The Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) has been investigating mercury-added skin lightening products (SLPs) for several years, primarily due to their health risks, their illegality under many national laws, and the prohibition by the Minamata Convention on Mercury against the manufacture and trade of mercury-added SLPs, which generally became effective in 2021.

Mercury compounds are frequently added to skin lightening products (SLPs) because mercury lightens the skin by suppressing the production of melanin, despite substantial health risks. SLPs have received significant attention in the scientific literature—and World Health Organization recognizes that mercury—added to some SLPs—is a “major public health concern.”

November 2019 (Revised March 2022) It is an uncomfortable truth that colorism is still pervasive worldwide. In communities of color, beauty standards based on the racist notion that lighter skin is more desirable still hold power.

Despite advances in modern dentistry, untreated dental caries in permanent teeth was reported as one the most prevalent conditions assessed in the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study. The restorative model for managing dental caries was developed in the 1900s, with dental amalgam as one of the restorative materials.

Report of the Global Mercury Partnership Advisory Group (PAG) 12th Meeting, which took place on 11 and 14 March 2022, in two online settings.

This webpage from U.S. Food and Drugs Administration lists information on what the law and FDA regulations say about cosmetic ingredients and safety.

In this edition, learn more about the upcoming twelfth meeting of the Partnership Advisory Group taking place in March, as well as latest news from Partnership Areas, and welcome Zaigham Abbas (Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan) as new co-lead of the Mercury releases from the cement industry Area. Read about the upcoming second segment of Minamata Convention COP4.

Toxic skin-lightening creams are still sold freely across South Africa, despite clear health dangers and the legacy of apartheid.

[ English / French / Spanish ] *** UPDATED VERSION 2022 ***

UNEP, GRID Geneva, 2022

Technical document on the use of remote sensing and satellite imagery in ASGM  policy development, implementation and evaluation. 

The guidelines provide basic practical guidance for the environmentally sound storage, handling, and transport of liquid mercury and mercury wastes in Peru, particularly wastes consisting of used elemental mercury and mercury contaminated materials.

In India, skin whitening creams are being used since ages as white complexion has been associated with prosperity and beauty for thousands of years. However, after the post globalisation, India has evolved as a key market of the cosmetic products. Further with the growth of the online marketing portals, now the products across the globe are being flooded into Indian markets.

UNEP, 2021

Incorporating gender dimensions into national strategy setting in chemicals management: For Minamata Convention national action plans for artisanal and small-scale gold mining and Stockholm Convention national implementation plans

World Chlorine Council Reporting

In this edition, learn more about call for comments on draft guidance on Customs Codes, upcoming meetings of the Mercury in Products and Mercury Waste Management Partnership Areas and recent events, including webinar on how to integrate Gender dimensions into ASGM National Action Plans and expert consultations on mercury from non-ferrous metals as well as from oil and gas.