Researchers launch the Amazon Mercury Institute
junho, 26 2024
Launch Ceremony in Belém with support from academics, government, and civil society
By IAMER In a collaborative effort to address mercury contamination in the states of Amazon Forest, including federal universities, launched the Amazon Mercury Institute (IAMER), on May 21. The initiative integrates research groups to tackle a serious regional issue, filling data gaps and developing strategies to combat mercury contamination in the Amazon.
The institute aims to establish at least one contamination testing center in each Amazonian state, positioning IAMER as the first network dedicated specifically to mercury contamination with a holistic approach. It integrates scientific research, professional training, and community engagement to address one of the region's major environmental and public health challenges. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Justice, Federal University of Pará, Federal University of Amapá, Federal University of Rondônia, Gurupi University, Amazonas State University, Federal University of Western Pará, and WWF-Brazil.
Maria Elena Crespo López, IAMER coordinator and professor at the Federal University of Pará, emphasizes the institute's born from the need for reliable data to support enduring public policies in the Amazon. Currently, a proposed legislation (No. 1011/2023) is pending in the Senate to establish Brazil's National Policy for Preventing Mercury Exposure, and data from the Amazon could exemplify what this policy envisions for a mercury exposure control system nationwide.
"The issue of mercury contamination in the Amazon requires a multifaceted approach that integrates awareness, monitoring, economic alternatives, and inclusive public policies. With these strategies, we can protect the health of Amazonian populations, preserve the environment, and ensure regional economic sustainability," she explains.
Complete elimination of mercury use is complex due to socio-economic and cultural factors. IAMER's effective and lasting strategies will include actions promoting training, awareness, and mercury exposure monitoring.
Mercury presence in the Amazon is a systemic and highly complex issue, with devastating effects on food security, public health, and the environment of Amazonian communities. Mercury does not readily decompose, perpetuating a cycle of deposition and removal between soil, water bodies, and the atmosphere. This allows it to travel long distances, affecting not only communities near contaminated areas, such as indigenous and traditional populations including riverine communities, but also urban areas of the Amazon.
Recent data indicates mercury-contaminated fish available for human consumption in markets across various Amazonian cities, from heavily mined regions like the Tapajós River basin to metropolitan areas like the city of Belém, where mining activity is absent. "Mercury contamination poses a significant risk to public health, as consumption of contaminated fish can lead to severe health issues, including neurological damage and other chronic diseases. Therefore, implementing effective measures to combat irregular use and continuously monitor contamination levels in fish and other foods is crucial to protect population health and preserve the environment," the professor asserts.