Science

Based on the mercury assessment, UNEP’s Governing Council concluded that there was sufficient evidence of significant global adverse impacts from mercury and its compounds to warrant further international action to reduce the risks to human health and the environment. Further scientific work has been conducted to update information on atmospheric emissions of mercury, as well as an assessment to identify populations at risk from exposure to mercury. See the Global Mercury Assessment, Global Atmospheric Mercury Assessment; Sources Emissions and Transport and the Guidance for Identifying Populations at Risk from Mercury Exposure. UNEP’s Governing Council requested a review of scientific information on lead and cadmium focusing on long-range environmental transport, to guide future discussions of the Governing Council on global action in relation to these two heavy metals. See the draft final review of scientific information on lead and draft final review of scientific information on cadmium.