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The Pan American +ealth 2rganisation/:orld +ealth 2rganisation PA+2/ :+2 team assessing the claims of mercury e[po sure at the *uyana *eology and 0ines Commission compound, %ricNdam, has found no threatening levels of mercury at the comple[. /ast Saturday, the :+2/ PA+2 team orally briefed the 0inisters of Natural 5esources, 5aphael Trot man, and Public +ealth, Volda /awrence, on their findings, according to a government statement yes terday.

“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 threaten ing level. That I believe is a testament that the job was very well done,´ 0inister Trotman said.

The international team of e[perts visited *uyana last weeN and, among other things, assessed the mer cury clean up efforts at the *uyana *eology and 0ines Commission **0C %ricNdam comple[.

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

The team visited *uyana following mercury e[po sure crisis at the comple[. The *uyana *old %oard ceased the burning of gold at the **0C comple[ in April following health and safety concerns. The **% is currently sourcing alter native facilities to conduct its e[ercises.

0inister Trotman noted the recent mercury e[po sure situation at the **0C comple[ 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 pro tected to ensure that we deal with mercury and its ill effects,´ he said.

The 0inistry of Public +ealth will soon pronounce on the findings of the PA+2/:+2 team.

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

(Kaieteur News)