Rethabile Pitso
BASOTHO must beware the harmful effects of mercury exposure, which can result in irreversible harm to the brain, heart, kidneys and immune system of people of all ages.
This was said by Africa Institute Executive Director, Taelo Letsela, during the closing workshop for the pilot project on the Early Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, at a local hotel on Thursday. The project had been piloted in the country for six months with the support of the Africa Institute and United Nations Environment Project.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It was agreed at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 January 2013.
The major highlights of the Minamata Convention on Mercury include a ban on new mercury mines, the phase-out of existing ones, control measures on air emissions, and the international regulation of the informal sector for artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
The convention draws attention to a global and ubiquitous metal that, while naturally occurring, has broad uses in everyday objects and is released to the atmosphere, soil and water from a variety of sources.
It is named after the Japanese city, Minimata which went through a devastating incident of mercury poisoning in 1956.
“Chemicals are part of our lives and we can no longer wish them away or assume a life without them. We depend on them for food, healthcare, commerce and all facets of our lives,” Dr Letsela said.
“Mercury is one such chemical. It has found itself in many things that support our modern life. We have become so used to it that the inherent hazard that it poses is no longer visible or felt.”
He said mercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system of people of all ages.
“It has been demonstrated that high levels methylmercury for example in the bloodstream of unborn babies and young children may harm the developing nervous system, making the child less able to think and learn,” noted Dr Letsela.
“Studies conducted on causes of death in populations in Minamata indicated that with high exposures to methylmercury increased cancer risk of the liver and of the oesophagus. While there are many causes of cancer, Mercury is one that can be avoided once precautionary measures are undertaken.”
He added that in Lesotho, mercury was commonly found in the traditional medicinal markets.
“People wear it for cultural beliefs and it is even used by pregnant women. It is found in a number of skin lightening products that are commonly used by Basotho women,” said Dr Letsela.
“This deliberate exposure which is based on ignorance needs to be avoided. A lot of work needs to be done by all the stakeholders who are in this room to minimise the exposure of Basotho to mercury.”
In his keynote address, Director of Environment Stanley Damane, said Lesotho acceded to the convention in November 2014, which provides for capacity building, technical assistance and technology transfer.
“The objective of the project was to build institutional capacity and policy instruments to manage chemicals, especially mercury, in a sound manner,” Mr Damane said.
“This is where we undertook inventories and a legislative review and developed IEC (information, education and communication) material pertaining to mercury.”
He said the Global Mercury Assessment revealed that the consumption of fish was the most significant source of ingestion-related mercury exposure in humans and animals.
“Mercury is known to bio-accumulate in humans, so bio-accumulation in seafood carries over into human populations where it can result in mercury poisoning,” said Mr Damane.