Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution : 1. G

Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution :

1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.

How many of the above statements are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one” option2=”Only two” option3=”All three” option4=”None” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC IAS – 2023

All three statements regarding mercury pollution are correct. Gold mining, coal-based thermal power plants, and the lack of a known safe exposure level are well-established facts related to mercury pollution and health impacts.

– Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a major global source of anthropogenic mercury emissions due to the use of mercury to extract gold.
– Combustion of coal in power plants releases mercury that is naturally present in coal.
– According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no known safe level of exposure to elemental (metallic) mercury, as it is toxic even at very low concentrations.

Mercury is a persistent, bioaccumulative toxic substance. It can travel long distances in the atmosphere and settle in ecosystems, where it can be converted to highly toxic methylmercury, which bioaccumulates in food chains, particularly in fish. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

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