Q & A
Que. What is Minamata disease and why was the Minamata Convention signed ? Why is it in news recently?
Ans. It is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. Symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, and damage to hearing and speech. Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city ,Japan, in 1956. It was caused by the release of methyl mercury in the industrial wastewater from technical factory, which continued from 1932 to 1968. This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated in shellfish and fish in Minamata Bay which, when eaten by the local populace, resulted in mercury poisoning. Mercury is considered by experts to be one of the most toxic metals known. Once released into environment, mercury bio-accumulates and bio-magnifies up in the food chain, and easily enters the human body and impacts the nervous system.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. This Convention is named after the Japanese city Minamata. The United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury came into effect in 2017, requiring governments to protect their citizens from the harmful effects of mercury. Countries that are party to the Convention are now legally bound to take a range of measures to protect human health and the environment by addressing mercury throughout its lifecycle. This includes banning new mercury mines, phasing out existing ones and regulating the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, manufacturing processes, and the production of everyday items such as cosmetics, light bulbs, batteries and teeth fillings.
It is signed by 128 countries including India. In 2018, Union cabinet approved ratification of Minamata Convention.Convention has flexibility for continued use of mercury-based products and processes involving mercury compound up to 2025.The Convention protects the most vulnerable from the harmful effects of mercury and also protects the developmental space of developing countries. Therefore, the interest of the poor and vulnerable groups will be protected.and will further urge enterprises to move to mercury-free alternatives in products and non-mercury technologies in manufacturing processes. This will drive research & development and promote innovation.
Que. What is Minamata disease and why was the Minamata Convention signed ? Why is it in news recently?
Ans. It is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. Symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, and damage to hearing and speech. Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city ,Japan, in 1956. It was caused by the release of methyl mercury in the industrial wastewater from technical factory, which continued from 1932 to 1968. This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated in shellfish and fish in Minamata Bay which, when eaten by the local populace, resulted in mercury poisoning. Mercury is considered by experts to be one of the most toxic metals known. Once released into environment, mercury bio-accumulates and bio-magnifies up in the food chain, and easily enters the human body and impacts the nervous system.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. This Convention is named after the Japanese city Minamata. The United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury came into effect in 2017, requiring governments to protect their citizens from the harmful effects of mercury. Countries that are party to the Convention are now legally bound to take a range of measures to protect human health and the environment by addressing mercury throughout its lifecycle. This includes banning new mercury mines, phasing out existing ones and regulating the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, manufacturing processes, and the production of everyday items such as cosmetics, light bulbs, batteries and teeth fillings.
It is signed by 128 countries including India. In 2018, Union cabinet approved ratification of Minamata Convention.Convention has flexibility for continued use of mercury-based products and processes involving mercury compound up to 2025.The Convention protects the most vulnerable from the harmful effects of mercury and also protects the developmental space of developing countries. Therefore, the interest of the poor and vulnerable groups will be protected.and will further urge enterprises to move to mercury-free alternatives in products and non-mercury technologies in manufacturing processes. This will drive research & development and promote innovation.
No comments:
Post a Comment