Millions of Indians at risk from mercury poisoning.

[Guest guest]

Saturday, June 24, 2006 Millions of Indians at risk from mercury poisoning * Researchers fear India to be a hotspot for trade and unregulated distribution of the metal, uses it in rituals and medicines http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C06%5C24%5Cstory_24-6-2006_pg4_17 [While this report harps on the dangers of mercury, and that mercury is used in traditional medicines, it does not mention the problem of mercury in vaccines which is often 200 times more than the "permissible" limit. What is even more shocking is that this mercury is forcefully injected into little babies who have yet to develop a full fledged immune system and are most at risk from mercury poisoning, and by "doctors" who are supposed to ensure good health and a disease free life. I feel these reports are offering an "easy" and "convinient" explanation for the booming mercury poisoning symptoms appearing in the Indian population. It also does not disclose that traditional medicines using mercury ash have

been proved safe by a study on mice conducted by an ayurvedic research institute.]NEW DELHI: Millions of people are at risk from the unregulated use of mercury in India, which has become the world’s biggest consumer after China, an environmental group said on Friday. Researchers say India is emerging as a hotspot for trade and unregulated internal distribution of the toxic metal, which has been outlawed in many developed nations because of its effects on humans and animals. Mercury, sometimes called quicksilver, is found mainly mined in Europe. The heavy, silvery-white liquid metal is highly toxic, and exposure can damage the brain, nervous system and developing foetuses. “We carried out a series of studies looking at various aspects of (the) mercury trade, usage and disposal in India and the findings are seriously worrying,” Prashant Pastore of the Delhi-based Toxics Link told Reuters. “We believe millions are at

risk from poisoning and we need to regulate and monitor the use of mercury in India, just as other countries have done.” Mercury, commonly used in thermometers, batteries, fluorescent lamps, industrial chemicals and paints, is mainly exported from Spain, Britain, the United States, Russia, Netherlands and Finland. India imported about 2,290 tonnes from 1996 to 2004, according to the study. Researchers say the metal is a freely traded commodity as India has no controls over its trade or import and there is no monitoring of what amounts of mercury are coming into the country, who uses it and what it is used for. Once in circulation in industry, hospitals, schools and homes, it is often not used properly or disposed of safely, mainly because there is a general lack of public awareness that the metal is a serious health risk, said researchers. Mercury from hospital waste and broken fluorescent lamps is often discarded in garbage dumps,

where children and rag pickers use their bare hands to pick through the waste. While industry is the biggest consumer of mercury, researchers say the metal is used traditionally for rituals and traditional medicines. “The government needs to first recognise that mercury is toxic and implement strict laws to regulate the trade, usage and disposal of the metal,” said Pastore. There was no immediate comment from the environment ministry. Reuters "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.