Since 2004, Arnika - Toxics and Waste Programme participated in the international negotiations about new treaty on mercury which is called Minamata Convention since October 2013 when it was signed in Kumamoto, Japan. We were originally active especially in the Czech Republic with the aim to make Czech chlor-alkali plants stop using mercury in chlorine production, which was partially achieved (se the web for hot spots of Spolana Neratovice and Spolchemie Ústí nad Labem).
About
Since 2005, we have been active in negotiations of the European strategy for mercury reduction and later on we also participated actively in international talks on the grounds of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which resulted in launch of talks on a new international agreement on mercury in February 2009. Between November 2008 and April 2009, we coordinated an international project focused on research of mercury presence in items of everyday life and medical devices in eight countries. We host the secretariat of the IPEN Toxic Metals Working Group. Jindřich Petrlík, an executive director of the Arnika - Toxics and Waste Programme is one of two co-chairs of the IPEN Toxic Metals Working Group.
Our projects
Chemical Plants as a Significant Source of Mercury Contamination in the CEE Region
Implementing period: 2014 – 2015
Locations: Albania, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Romania, Slovakia
We evaluated level of contamination in surrounding of different chemical plants using mercury in their technologies, both past and current ones. This was one of IMEAP projects in CEE region. Its final outcome was a regional report.
Global monitoring of mercury in fish and hair
Implementing period: 2012 – 2013
Locations: Many countries in 4 continents
We helped to coordinate this project as IPEN's Toxic Metals Working Group Secretariat. Major leadin organizations of the project were IPEN and BRI (Biodiversity Research Institute). We have prepared also final national reports for each of participating countries, in coopeation with local NGOs in these countries. All reports are available under Reports on fish and hair mercury monitoring.
News
‘Minamata‘ starring Johnny Depp draws attention to mercury pollution
Breakthrough decision on contaminated sites at Minamata Convention on mercury COP 3
Mercury in Prague's fish
Fish in Prague’s rivers and ponds are less contaminated with toxic mercury than fish bought in Prague food stores
Czech representatives in Geneva discuss the protection against poisonous mercury
Fish samples from hot spots in Thailand contain toxic mercury
International convention on mercury entered into force
Toxic pollution in Kazakhstan: EU-funded project suggests solutions for seriously contaminated sites in order to reduce hazards for human health
Lowering Dangerous Mercury Pollution: World Experts Consult, with Czech Participation
Toxic pollution in Central Kazakhstan: EU-funded project reveals serious problems and hazards for human health
Mercury Releases May Be Reduced by Advanced Technologies. A List of Them Will Be Made by Experts from All Over the World
Mercury treaty must reduce global emissions
A new study shows that high mercury concentrations are present in fish and human hair from all over the world
Will the international convention help in preventing Elbe and Ohre rivers from mercury contamination?
Czech bream wins – at least in the concentration of mercury in blood. And it lives in the Elbe under Spolana
Spolana wants to use toxic mercury in chlorine production for another six years
New Mercury Treaty negotiations heading towards losing the right to be called the “Minamata Convention”
UN Delegates Struggle with the True Cost of Mercury
Mercury-contaminated fish served to delegates at UN mercury negotiation
Spolana must phase out using mercury by the end of 2014
Spolana has tripled its usage of mercury, says Arnika´s study
Spolchemie is allowed to operate mercury electrolysis only till the end of 2012
EEB Press Release - Risky Business: Phase-out mercury in chlorine industry
Arnika measurement revealed that mercury is released from Spolchemie in an uncontrolled way
Arnika invited Spolchemie to stop polluting its neighbourhood with toxic mercury by 2009
Spolana Neratovice is highly polluted by mercury
Greenpeace and Arnika: Spolana Should Safeguard and Clean Up Entire Polluted Site
Publications
Toxic Hot Spots in Thailand
Mercury in Fish from Industrial Sites in Thailand
Chemical Plants as a Significant Source of Mercury Contamination in the CEE Region
Contaminated sites and their management
Hazaribag and Gazaria Potential Mercury Hot Spots in Bangladesh
ASGM and LSGM site: Paso Yobái in Paraguay
Mercury in Fish and Hair Samples from Batroun, Lebanon
Negombo Lagoon: A Potential Mercury Hot Spot in Sri Lanka
Chemical and petrochemical industry site: Coatzacoalcos region in Mexico
Chlor-alkali plants: Neratovice, Ústí nad Labem and Some Other Chemical Hot Spots in the Czech Republic
Coal-fired Power Plant and Pulp and Paper Mill Site: Tha Tum Mercury Hot Spot in Thailand
Global Mercury Hotspots
Chlor-alkali plant: “Kaustik” plant in Volgograd, Mercury Hot Spot in Russia
Contaminated Site: Vlora Mercury Hot Spot in Albania
ASGM Sites: Matundasi and Makongolosi Mining Areas in Tanzania
ASGM Sites: Poboya and Sekotong in Indonesia
Mercury in hair of fish eaters: Case studies from Tokyo, Japan and Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Mixed industrial and waste site: Douala in Cameroon
Mercury in fish
Microorganisms (bacteria, phytoplankton in the ocean, and fungi) convert inorganic mercury to methylmercury. Methylmercury released from microorganisms can enter the water or soil and remain there for a long time, particularly if the methylmercury becomes attached to small particles in the soil or water. Mercury usually stays on the surface of sediments or soil and does not move through the soil to underground water. If mercury enters the water in any form, it is likely to settle to the bottom where it can remain for a long time.
Mercury can enter and accumulate in the food chain. The form of mercury that accumulates in the food chain is methylmercury. Inorganic mercury does not accumulate up the food chain to any extent. When small fish eat the methylmercury in food, it goes into their tissues. When larger fish eat smaller fish or other organisms that contain methylmercury, most of the methylmercury originally present in the small fish will then be stored in the bodies of the larger fish. As a result, the larger and older fish living in contaminated waters build up the highest amounts of methylmercury in their bodies. Saltwater fish (especially sharks and swordfish) that live a long time and can grow to a very large size tend to have the highest levels of mercury in their bodies.
There were 120 reports about exceeded mercury levels in Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed within EU mainly fish coming from all parts of the globe for 2009 – April 2010, what means that every 4th day was found a contaminated food on the market during this period.
Records on mercury in RASFF for period 2009 - April 2010 (full list) 19.61 Kb
Mercury levels in fish from the Czech Republic can be found in the press release from February 2009.
