Global health effects of future atmospheric mercury emissions

Journal Article
Global health effects of future atmospheric mercury emissions
Zhang, Y., A. Song, S. Huang, P. Zhang, Y. Peng, P. Wu, J. Gu, S. Dutkiewicz, H. Zhang, S. Wu, F. Wang, L. Chen, S. Wang and P. Li (2021)
Nature Communications, 12(3035) (doi:10.1038/s41467-021-23391-7)

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Abstract/Summary:

Abstract: Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that poses health risks to the global population. Anthropogenic mercury emissions to the atmosphere are projected to decrease in the future due to enhanced policy efforts such as the Minamata Convention, a legally-binding international treaty entered into force in 2017.

Here we report the development of a comprehensive climate-atmosphere-land-ocean-ecosystem and exposure-risk model framework for mercury and its application to project the health effects of future atmospheric emissions. Our results show that the accumulated health effects associated with mercury exposure during 2010-2050 are $19 (95% confidence interval: 4.7-54) trillion (2020 USD) realized to 2050 (3% discount rate) for the current policy scenario.

Our results suggest a substantial increase in global human health cost if emission reduction actions are delayed. This comprehensive modeling approach provides a much-needed tool to help parties to evaluate the effectiveness of Hg emission controls as required by the Minamata Convention.

Citation:

Zhang, Y., A. Song, S. Huang, P. Zhang, Y. Peng, P. Wu, J. Gu, S. Dutkiewicz, H. Zhang, S. Wu, F. Wang, L. Chen, S. Wang and P. Li (2021): Global health effects of future atmospheric mercury emissions. Nature Communications, 12(3035) (doi:10.1038/s41467-021-23391-7) (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23391-7)
  • Journal Article
Global health effects of future atmospheric mercury emissions

Zhang, Y., A. Song, S. Huang, P. Zhang, Y. Peng, P. Wu, J. Gu, S. Dutkiewicz, H. Zhang, S. Wu, F. Wang, L. Chen, S. Wang and P. Li

Nature Communications
12(3035) (doi:10.1038/s41467-021-23391-7)
2021

Abstract/Summary: 

Abstract: Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that poses health risks to the global population. Anthropogenic mercury emissions to the atmosphere are projected to decrease in the future due to enhanced policy efforts such as the Minamata Convention, a legally-binding international treaty entered into force in 2017.

Here we report the development of a comprehensive climate-atmosphere-land-ocean-ecosystem and exposure-risk model framework for mercury and its application to project the health effects of future atmospheric emissions. Our results show that the accumulated health effects associated with mercury exposure during 2010-2050 are $19 (95% confidence interval: 4.7-54) trillion (2020 USD) realized to 2050 (3% discount rate) for the current policy scenario.

Our results suggest a substantial increase in global human health cost if emission reduction actions are delayed. This comprehensive modeling approach provides a much-needed tool to help parties to evaluate the effectiveness of Hg emission controls as required by the Minamata Convention.

Posted to public: 

Monday, October 4, 2021 - 16:31