Japan and PHL NGOs call against mercury use in PHL

By Angelica Carballo-Pago

angelica@bantoxics.org/0998-9595785

19 December 2014, Manila, Philippines - Philippine environmental justice group Ban Toxics (BT) partnered with Japan-based Advanced Industrial Science and Technology senior research scientist Dr. Satoshi Murao to raise concerns over the continued use mercury use in the Philippines.

“Continuous use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations is guaranteed to contaminate the irrigation and water systems. This has a damaging effect on communities whose livelihood relies heavily on farming and fishing.” said Murao.

Main sources of mercury pollution in the Philippines come from the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which contributes to 30 per cent of the country’s annual mercury releases¹.

Similarly, a study conducted by the United Nations Environment Program points to ASGM as the single largest mercury-emitting sector in the world². The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environment Management Bureau estimates the annual mercury discharge from the sector at around 70 metric tons.

Studies conducted by the Department of Health found that surface water quality exceeded recommended total permissible mercury standards (at NV>0.002ng/ml) in abandoned mine areas³. In addition, a United Nations Industrial Development Organization commissioned study showed that mine workers from Mt. Diwalwal and impacted barangays in the lowland area of Monkayo exhibited symptoms of mercury intoxication⁴.    

“Executive Order 79 is a start. However, efforts from the Philippine government can further be intensified with immediate ratification of the Minamata Convention,” added BT project manager Evelyn Cubelo.

While the Philippines already signed the Minamata Convention, ratification is needed from the Philippine government to put the Convention’s obligations to protect the human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds in force.

Mercury, a neurotoxin, can cause irreversible brain and nervous system damage, and is a particular hazard for the developing fetus and small children.  It can cause other serious diseases including acrodynia, Hunter-Russell syndrome, Parkinsonism, and Minamata disease.

“BAN Toxics has made headway in transitioning miners away from mercury. However, the Philippine government needs to eliminate the trade and supply of mercury in the country to finally rout this noxious substance in our environment,” added Cubelo.###

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For more info:

1. BAN Toxics, 2011. Phaseout of Mercury in the Philippines. http://bantoxics.org/download/Phaseout%20of%20Mercury%20in%20the%20Philippines.pdf
2. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2013. Mercury, Time to Act. http://www.unep.org/PDF/PressReleases/Mercury_TimeToAct.pdf
3. BAN Toxics, 2011. Phaseout of Mercury in the Philippines. http://bantoxics.org/download/Phaseout%20of%20Mercury%20in%20the%20Philippines.pdf
4. Ibid.

BAN Toxics (BT) is an independent non-government environmental organization focused on the advancement of environmental justice, children's health, and toxics elimination. Working closely with partner communities and other NGOs in both the local and international levels, BT endeavours to reduce and eliminate the use of harmful toxins through education campaigns, training and awareness-raising, and policy-building and advocacy programs.