An international binding treaty to curb mercury
pollution was agreed to by more than 140 countries this past Saturday, bringing
to a close four years of negotiations on the subject. The Minamata
Convention on Mercury - named after the landmark Japanese town whose residents
suffered the consequences of mercury poisoning some 50 years ago - will open
for signature in October at a diplomatic conference in Minamata
itself.
The convention will enter into force once it has
been ratified by at least 50 countries, a process that could take three to four
years.
While mercury is a naturally-occurring chemical,
there is no level of exposure considered safe for humans. Mercury is commonly
found in a number of products, such as thermometers and energy-saving light
bulbs, and is also released through a number of processes, including mining and
cement and coal-fired power industries.
The Minamata convention
seeks to curb mercury by targeting several products for phase-out by 2020.
Those products include mercury thermometers, certain blood pressure measuring
devices, most batteries, certain types of electric switches, some fluorescent
lamps, and certain soaps and cosmetics. Exceptions have been allowed for some
medical products for which a mercury-free alternative does not exist.
Article three of the convention deals with
trade-related issues, with procedures related to consent and certification of
safe handling capabilities being required for imports/exports. These procedures
will be further elaborated in the future, and will apply both to party and
non-party countries.
Dentist groups were also left disappointed. While
the treaty does seek to phase-out dental fillings that use mercury amalgam, no
specific dates for the phase out were stated. Overall, many of the necessary
actions will be taken during extensive phase-in periods, and not all action is
mandatory. Some groups also took issue with national governments, which they
argue have not done enough to regulate the dangerous metal.