Develop plan for mercury contamination in Bolivar


Caracas, Jun. 03 ABN .- A plan that will address aspects of health, environment, working conditions and education, will be implemented to eliminate mercury pollution that exists in the state of Bolivar.

The special national champion in the Environment of the Ombudsman, Yelena Carpio, reported that, to this end, a subcommittee was formed on mercury attached to the presidential commission of heavy metals, which are involved in the ministries of the People for the Environment (Minamb) and Labor and Social Security (Mintrass) and the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV).

The aim is to bring all the problems by the use of mercury in Guyana, although it is prohibited by law is used so unbridled and irrational, he said.

He said that there are developed by sampling studies in 10 communities around riverbeds and Cuyuní Caroní, where they have detected the highest levels allowed by international standards governing this area.

For example, said that the International Program on Chemical Health reports half gram of mercury 2/miligramos and the Environmental Protection Agency sets 1/miligramo mercury per gram

Carpio stated that the town of El Callao is one of the largest air pollution due to mining activity and work in precious metals that are undertaken to increase the value of products made of gold.

Mercury in water is transformed into methyl mercury, which is a compound that is part of the food chains of ecosystems, of which people are part.

Carpio said that, it intends to submit a proposal to establish a laboratory for analyzing levels of mercury in the body and thus make a diagnosis for people who would be affected by this pollution.

This is a first action within the plan, but the idea is to attack from all fronts. It is necessary to combat the use of harmful materials in the mining, but trying this activity is sustainable, Carpio added.