Thread by @WHO

What is #mercury?

👉bit.ly/2OV3jrA

@pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @DrTedros @UNEP @UN All humans are exposed to some level of #mercury, as it is contained many products 👉bit.ly/2OV3jrA

@pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @DrTedros @UNEP @UN Once in the environment, #mercury can be transformed by bacteria into methylmercury.

Methylmercury then bioaccumulates in fish & shellfish. Large fish are more likely to have high levels of mercury from eating smaller fish. bit.ly/2OV3jrA

@pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @DrTedros @UNEP @UN Exposure to #mercury – even small amounts – may cause serious health problems, and is a threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life. bit.ly/2OV3jrA

@pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @DrTedros @UNEP @UN #Mercury may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. bit.ly/2OV3jrA

@pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @DrTedros @UNEP @UN #Mercury-containing skin lightening products such as
🧴cream
🧼soap
💄 make-up

are hazardous to health & have been banned in many countries. bit.ly/2OV3jrA

@pahowho @WHOEMRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOAFRO @WHO_Europe @DrTedros @UNEP @UN In 2013 governments agreed to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to protect people and the environment from #mercury. bit.ly/2OV3jrA