Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,
Nations adopt
landmark mercury pollution convention。
Not the planet but
chemical element. It is also called “quicksilver” or “hydrargyrum.” It’s not
hard metal but is liquid at standard temperature and pressure and used in
thermometers, barometers, mercury switches and fluorescent lamps. It is inexpensive
and useful but is highly toxic. One of the world’s worst cases of its poisoning
occurred in Minamata in Japan in the 1950’s. Many people still suffer from the
effect of the toxicity.
The Minamata
Convention finally adopted legally binding treaty to reduce the supply, trade,
use and emissions of mercury around the world to curb the pollution.
Enjoy reading and
learning about this conventional yet toxic metal.
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