As fear grips the nation over the repercussions of radiation leak caused by the nuclear meltdown in Japan, a Manila-based non-government organization raised the specter of a toxic air pollutant that is present in the country: mercury.
Speaking to the media in Davao City during the Mindanao launch of its two recent mercury-related studies entitled “Price of Gold: Mercury Use and Other Issues Surrounding Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Philippines and “Chasing Mercury: Measuring Mercury Levels in the Air Across the Philippines,” Ban Toxics, an environmental NGO, noted the existence of background levels of mercury in air in many areas of the country, attributing the continuous buildup of mercury in the air to the dangerous practice of using mercury and burning it in open fires especially in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).
“The danger that mercury in air brings to us is a ticking toxic bomb. The potential of mercury pollution affecting many Filipinos is a reality we need to acknowledge given the unabated release of this toxin in our country,” explained Gil Viloria Jr., Ban Toxics’ ASGM Project Coordinator.
In stressing the negative impact of mercury pollution due to small-scale gold mining, Ban Toxics cited a 2008 report that summarizes more than 30 years of mercury researches in Davao gulf which noted that mercury levels in the gulf and some fishes are beyond the World Health Organization limits. Mercury lowers children’s IQ levels for life and that fetus and babies are particularly harmed by mercury in fish.
The group’s own study of mercury emission in air also noted that major emissions come from mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), where levels as high as 30,000 ng/m3 were detected particularly in gold processing sites and elevated levels of 2,900 ng/ m3 were spotted in adjacent areas where mercury was being burned. Following established standard reference levels of mercury exposure for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, mercury levels between 1,000 and 10,000 ng/m3 suggests the need to prepare for evacuation while beyond 10,000 ng/m3 signifies immediate evacuation.
“The fear that radiation from Japan can reach the Philippines due to wind currents is quite similar to how radiation travels,” said Betty Cabazares of Kinaiyahan Foundation, Inc. “Mercury is already circulating in our environment and we need to take immediate action to eliminate additional exposure.”
To address mercury-use in ASGM, Ban Toxics recommends for the stop of global supply flow of mercury by putting an end to primary mining of mercury through effective international treaty mechanisms; prohibit the trade and use of mercury and mercury compounds in all sectors in the Philippines; provie technical support to ASGM in the exploration and delineation of mineral deposits and mineral inventory for extraction at the small-scale level; provide need working capital, credit facilities and suitable mining equipment or processes to ASGM; and organize and strengthen ASGM formal groups to reduce and eventually eliminate exploitation of miners.
The group also recommends the development of coherent national policy on mining and streamlines regulatory and administrative procedures to remove barriers for formalization; strengthen local mining regulatory boards; and increase awareness of toxic effects of chemicals, such as mercury, to miners, their families and affected communities.
They railed against recent pronouncements made by President Aquino on ASGM and mercury issue and call it unproductive.
“Vilifying small-scale miners to favor large-scale mining does not help address the mercury pollution from the small-scale mining sector. We need to be looking at understanding the root causes of the problem and begin to internalize the real costs of these extractive industries in order to arrive at nuance national policies for the long term,” said Viloria.
“Mercury pollution is already around and the government needs to step up quickly before the very air we breathe starts harming us,” he added.
