Inhabitants of east Colombia province have 60 times more than average mercury in body
Inhabitants of east Colombia province have 60 times more than average mercury in body
written by Stephen Gill September 12, 2017
Inhabitants of an eastern Colombian province have between 60 and 109 times more mercury in their body than a normal World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended average, according to the recently published results of a study by Guainia’s Ministry of Health, reported El Tiempo.
The study, which was undertaken in 2015 took hair and blood samples from 202 people in 15 communities in the department bordering Brazil produced results that illustrate the negative effects of illegal mining on local communities in the area along the Inirida, Atabapo and Guania rivers.
While the entity did not specify the percentage of the population that has these concentrations, the results highlight the need for government intervention in these areas that are overrun with illegal mining in order to safeguard locals made up mainly of peasants and indigenous.
Near the Guainia river, 82 hair samples were taken with levels of 20 to 50 parts per million(ppm) recorded in 60% of those examined, with the WHO recommendation at 1 ppm.
More:
https://colombiareports.com/inhabitants-east-colombia-province-60-times-average-mercury-body/
Environment & Energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127112755
