Ministry Urges Provincial Govts To Phase Out Mercury
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published July 20, 2016 | 12:34 PM
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th july,2016) : Provincial governments and relevant stakeholders have been asked to play their part for phasing out use of mercury in any form to protect the human health and environment. Deputy Director Climate Change Ministry Climate Change Ministry Dr Zaigam Abbas while taking APP said that absence of a legal viable mechanism in the country was a major cause of unchecked hazardous mercury's use in different forms including cosmetic products (whitening creams and soaps), dental filling, light bulbs, medical devices (thermometers and blood pressure-related medical apparatus), vaccines and batteries.
The use of mercury was playing havoc with the human health and the overall environment, he maintained. He further said that Pakistan is a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. "To meet the Convention's requirements, the climate change ministry has initiated a project titled "Development of Minamata Initial Assessment in Pakistan", which aims for strengthening the baselines on mercury management in the country, developing national mercury inventories, piloting of sectoral action-plans as a follow- up of prioritization including indicative sampling and hammering out national mercury management plans," he said. Signed in year 2013 by delegates of 140 countries including Pakistan, the global Minamata Convention on Mercury is a United Nations-brokered treaty, which is designed to limit mercury use and emissions globally to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.
Mercury is recognized as highly hazardous substance that also significantly affects neurological system of the humans and yields dangerous impacts on unborn children and infants. Major highlights of the Minamata Convention include a ban on new mercury mines, the phase-out of existing ones, the phase-out and phase-down of mercury use in a number of products and processes, control measures on emissions to air and on releases to land and water, and the regulation of the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
The convention also addresses interim storage of mercury and its disposal once it becomes waste, sites contaminated by mercury as well as health issues. Dr. Zaigam Abbas said that as a part of the ministry's efforts for cutting down on use of the mercury, the ministry is holding meetings with relevant stakeholders including industries, health practitioners, provincial governments to make effective regulatory framework for efficacious implementation of the Minamata Convention in Pakistan.
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
7 hours ago -
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
8 hours ago -
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
8 hours ago -
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per unit
8 hours ago -
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
7 hours ago -
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
7 hours ago
-
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
7 hours ago -
Gov't to form independent inquiry commission on 'IHC judges' letter': Law Minister
7 hours ago -
Makhdoom Saeed-u-Zaman seeks massive operation for recovery Priya Kumari
8 hours ago -
Pakistan to continue political, diplomatic support to Kashmiris: FO
8 hours ago -
FM, UK High Commissioner discuss bilateral ties
8 hours ago -
Cabinet Division declares Naudero House as official residence of President
8 hours ago