Everyone is exposed to mercury at some level – whether through the food we eat, the air we breathe, or the cosmetics that we use.

Inhalation or ingestion of large amounts of mercury, however, can lead to severe neurological health implications. Symptoms can include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, muscle weakness, and—in extreme cases—death.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two groups are at particular risk: unborn babies whose mothers have high levels of mercury in their blood and those who are regularly exposed to elevated levels of mercury, such as subsistence fisher.

To tackle this global challenge, representatives from governments, United Nations bodies, academia and civil society gathered at the resumed fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury that took place in person in March in Bali, Indonesia, with online participation.

At the conference, delegates discussed time-sensitive issues such as:

  • the framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention

  • the list of phase-out mercury-added products

  • how to address the health impacts of mercury, including mainstreaming gender into all activities

“You have today achieved truly remarkable outcomes to bring us a step closer to achieving the objective of the Minamata Convention and begin breaking the cycle of misery that mercury brings, said Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz at the close of the meeting.

The Minamata Convention is named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health issues that became known as the “Minamata disease".

Since it entered into force in 2017, the Minamata Convention has aimed to control mercury supply and trade, and reduce the use, emissions and releases of mercury, raise public awareness, and build the necessary institutional capacity.

As of today, it has 137 parties working together to make mercury history.

For more information, visit the website of the Minamata Convention, check out the 2018 Global Mercury Assessment, and learn more about the outcomes of the latest Conference of the Parties.