Our evolved understanding of the human health risks of mercury

Mercury (Hg) is a chemical of health concern worldwide that is now being acted upon through the Minamata Convention. Operationalizing the Convention and tracking its effectiveness requires empathy of the diversity and variation of mercury exposure and risk in populations worldwide. As part of the he...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 2023-05, Vol.52 (5), p.877-896
Main Authors: Basu, Niladri, Bastiansz, Ashley, Dórea, José G., Fujimura, Masatake, Horvat, Milena, Shroff, Emelyn, Weihe, Pál, Zastenskaya, Irina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
20th century
Amalgams
Arctic Regions
Atmospheric Sciences
Cosmetics
Denmark
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Electronic waste
Environment
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Environmental law
Environmental Management
Environmental Pollutants - analysis
Environmental Pollutants - toxicity
Epidemiology
Global Mercury Impact Synthesis: Processes in the Southern Hemisphere
Health risks
Humans
International law
Mercury
Mercury (metal)
Mercury - analysis
Mercury - toxicity
Physical Geography
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Summary:Mercury (Hg) is a chemical of health concern worldwide that is now being acted upon through the Minamata Convention. Operationalizing the Convention and tracking its effectiveness requires empathy of the diversity and variation of mercury exposure and risk in populations worldwide. As part of the health plenary for the 15th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP), this review paper details how scientific understandings have evolved over time, from tragic poisoning events in the mid-twentieth century to important epidemiological studies in the late-twentieth century in the Seychelles and Faroe Islands, the Arctic and Amazon. Entering the twenty-first century, studies on diverse source-exposure scenarios (e.g., ASGM, amalgams, contaminated sites, cosmetics, electronic waste) from across global regions have expanded understandings and exemplified the need to consider socio-environmental variables and local contexts when conducting health studies. We conclude with perspectives on next steps for mercury health research in the post-Minamata Convention era.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209
DOI:10.1007/s13280-023-01831-6