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The Pan American Health Organisation/:orld Health Organisation PAHO/ :HO team assessing the claims of mercury exposure at the *uyana *eology and 0ines Commission compound, %rickdam, has found no threatening levels of mercury at the complex. Last Saturday, the :HO/ PAHO team orally briefed the 0inisters of Natural 5esources, 5aphael Trotman, and Public Health, Volda Lawrence, on their findings, according to a government statement yesterday.

“The team did say though, they are not here to certify that necessarily, but they did say that they found that the levels at the **0C compound and its environs were below any threatening level. That I believe is a testament that the job was very well done,” 0inister Trotman said.

The international team of experts visited *uyana last week and, among other things, assessed the mercury clean-up efforts at the *uyana *eology and 0ines Commission **0C %rickdam complex.

The team comprised two industrial hygienists, two physicians and a mining engineer. It was headed by Industrial Hygienist and head of the team, Catherine %eecham.

The team visited *uyana following mercury exposure crisis at the complex. The *uyana *old %oard ceased the burning of gold at the **0C complex in April following health and safety concerns. The **% is currently sourcing alternative facilities to conduct its exercises.

0inister Trotman noted the recent mercury exposure situation at the **0C complex is an opportunity to improve how the mining industry utilises mercury. “(very effort will be made and that effort has started to ensure that they are protected to ensure that we deal with mercury and its ill effects,” he said.

The 0inistry of Public Health will soon pronounce on the findings of the PAHO/:HO team.

Several persons from **0C were sent on leave and taking medication because of elevated levels of mercury in their system.

(Kaieteur News)