For a long time mercury was used (and
still is in some parts of the world) in many different products or processes
such as dental filings, clinical thermometers, and gold processing in mining. The
use of mercury began to be phased out when it was found to be a highly toxic
metal that attacks the nervous system and is one of the most dangerous environmental
pollutants. This article describes the growing concern of mercury storage which
poses just as big a problem as breaking the long period of dependence on the
toxic metal because of mercury’s ability to seep in the environment.
In the Philippines, a report from a
30-year survey of mercury in fish in the Davao Gulf revealed that mercury
effectively lowered children’s IQ levels for life and that mercury tainted
water from the Diwalwal mining site which drains into the Agusan River posed
dangers to the local people. “Tests made on weekly diets of rice, fish and
mussels of people in the mining areas revealed the presence of mercury three
times over the permissible levels” (BusinessMirror). These results clearly show
that proper mercury storage is needed in the Philippines.
In the U.S. mercury is stored in
metal flasks the size of a three-liter soda bottles which are further stored in
metric-ton stainless-steel containers. Five thousand tons of mercury is stored
at the facility and it is guarded by armed security. Alternatively, in Europe,
mercury is placed in underground salt mines such as those found in Germany. The
rock-salt walls are effective in sealing the mercury in, and they have proven
to be stable for more than 200 years.
While the U.S. and Europe have
developed reliable means of storing mercury, many other parts of the world,
such as the Philippines, are in an ongoing struggle to discover a system that
is environmentally and economically viable. The Philippines are located by many earthquake
fault lines, making underground storage an arguably impossible option. Also,
the cost of construction, technology and security needs of an above-ground
facility seem to be beyond Philippines reach according to consultants. In the
meantime, since mercury can sell for a lot of money on the black market and is
used by small-scale miners in the region, there have been issues with theft. At
a hospital in Camarines Sur, for example, mercury that was used in thermometers
and had been temporarily stored in the hospital was declared missing.
There is an ongoing effort, led
primarily by Ban Toxics, an organization working for environmental justice, to phase
out mercury use among small-scale miners and eventually all other sectors.
Their efforts will hopefully result in the formulation of a National Strategic
Plan for Safe Handling and Permanent Storage of Mercury by this coming May.
This article really captured my attention because it focuses on an issue that does not receive much, if any, media attention currently. In society today, western cultures take for granted that toxic substances such as mercury or lead will be stored and disposed of properly according to health code regulations. However, it is also important to remember that other populations throughout the world struggle to maintain non-toxic environments due to economic stress and limited resources.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of the Philippines, the people are suffering from high levels of mercury in their environment, and consequently, their diet. While this may not seem to be an outright injustice at first glance, groups of people do in fact have the resources available to stop this health hazard. By not taking action, countries like the U.S. and other European nations are indirect proponents of this environmental injustice.
Ideally, if media coverage of this issue increases over the next few years, the Filipino people can receive the necessary aid to eliminate the threat of mercury to their health. As of now, there is a vicious cycle present in which the people do not possess the means, power, or money to bring about change. However, the continued presence of mercury in the environment has adverse effects on IQ and the general health of the population. These added obstacles contribute to what makes achieving the power and intellect required to bring about change that much harder.
Mercury is really a toxin you think about as part of other problems- it's in fish, it's in the soil, it's in food- but it's rarely thought of on its own. It is good to see that people are trying to put safety measures into place to prevent it from further contaminating the environment.
ReplyDeleteThis article reminded me a little bit of our Polluted Promises readings, where mercury and heavy metals were improperly stored and contributed to much of the illness found in the residents of Hyde Park. Yes, the Filipinos might have economic stress, but this will only increase if the mercury in their environment continues to poison them.