KENYA AND JAPAN IN JOINT MERCURY MONITORING.

Experts on Mercury from IDEA Consultants, Japan, assisted by officials from U-POPs- Min of Env. & F and University of Nbi, scooping samples for mercury testing at Dandora dumpsite, Nbi.

The Ministry of Environment of Japan, in collaborative work with the United Nations Environment Progarmme (UNEP), is promoting the support for developing Countries’ efforts in mercury management, in order to implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a Multilateral Environmental Agreement that helps in reducing global mercury pollution.

Speaking at the Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi, when he led a team of experts on Mercury from IDEA Consultants, Japan, who are in the Country to undertake mercury monitoring survey, Mr. Shunichi Honda, from the UN-Environment in Japan noted that, a large part of the anthropogenic mercury is emitted into the atmosphere which affects global ecosystems. He observed that, in the incineration of waste, substantial amount of mercury is possibly volatilized from mercury-added products such as fluorescent lamps and electronic parts, thus risking the health of surrounding residents.

The focus and objectives of the survey, is to strengthen national capacity on mercury monitoring system, that can produce comparable monitoring data for national use, as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention of Mercury; carry out capacity assessment; discuss the current status and issues of mercury monitoring in Kenya; demonstrate mercury monitoring technologies and prepare a report on the findings.

The exercise is being undertaken by IDEA Consultants from Japan, PANAFCON Kenya Ltd and officials from UPOPS in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, University of Nbi and Government Chemist, among others.

Mr. Shunichi Honda, from UN-Environment, Japan, and an expert on Mercury from IDEA consultants monitoring the level of Mercury from the Dandora dumpsite