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There must be worry on public health grounds
Dear Editor,
The published findings of mercury in the bodies of Guyanese gold jewellers increase concern for their future health.
Mercury is so clearly implicated in cancer, birth defects and other public health horrors that the liquid metal is banned from sale in many countries. Our Government is planning to ask for exemption from an impending international convention against its sale and use in mining. Guyana is probably the only country where mercury is regularly offered in almost full page ads in national newspapers.
But the question arises, how can jewellers be exposed to this substance, far away from mining and refining sites? Jewellers are supposed to buy the metal from GGMC, the only legal buyer from miners and its licenced dealers. Mercury present in a jewellery workshop has to come from imperfectly refined gold, or from amalgam illegally gotten from miners. Either the GGMC is selling impure gold, or there is a failure of law enforcement. Rule of law issues aside, there must be worry on public health grounds.
Gustav Henderson
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