This project by Red de Acción en Plaguicidas y sus Alternativas para América Latina (RAP-AL) includes interviews with community members and a former worker from the chlor- alkali plant of EFICE in San José Dept., Río de la Plata. Several interviews were also conducted with decision-makers from the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean Region in the Southern Cone, the National Directorate of Environment (DINAMA), and the Ministry of Housing, Land and Environment (MVOTMA). During the project a RAPAL representative also took part in two interviews for the local radio station (CX30) to raise awareness about mercury releases and its environmental and health impacts.
The main outcomes of the project are the production of a booklet on EFICE chlor-alkali plant (a significant source of mercury pollution) and RAP-AL Articles to generate national awareness among the general public and decision-makers in relation to chlor-alkali plants, products containing mercury, and the use of dental amalgam. RAP-AL Uruguay now has more visibility among the decision-makers and the general public on the mercury issue. Government engagement has also been assisted due to RAP-AL's cooperation in the development of a project under the Ministry of Environment and other health agencies, with the aim of monitoring mercury in human tissues. This project has relevance to Articles 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
See mercury newsletter at http://www.rapaluruguay.org/boletin/106abril2015.htm (Spanish)
