Grave Environmental Tragedy in Amazon

sopren%ufpa.br@uicvm.uic.edu
Fri, 19 Feb 1993 05:22:00 PST

[ This problem of mercury contamination poses a very serious health threat
to peoples such as the Yanomami, as reports from CEDI over the past few
years have continually pointed out. The population of these indigenous
people has been drastically reduced due to the effects of mercury poison-
ing and other assaults on their environment. --Gary ]

| From: sopren%ufpa.br@UICVM.UIC.EDU
| (Sociedade de Preservacao do Recursos Naturais)
| Subject: Grave Environmental Tragedy in Amazon

SILENT AND GRAVE ENVIRONMENTAL TRAGEDY IN AMAZON

Many and many years ago mercury has been used for gold estraction in
Amazon Region.
In the period 1980-1987 for a real gold production of 900 tons., were
utilized 1,800 tons. of mercury which crashed man and environment in
the micro areas exploited.
Mercury is one's most toxic and dangerous heavy matels to the man,
because in organic form causes teratogenic effects as happened in
Minamata's tragedy in Japan.
Unhappy the Federal Government of Brazil Takes no political decision
to control and minimizes the problem.
So, we are affraid that in Brazil in near future could occur many and
many intoxications produced by mercury, with death possibilities too.
Very poor people as riverine, indigenous and fishermen people, are
submitted to this serious menace.
It is an most important environmeental problema that ocurring in
Amzon Rigion, which must be controlled, as faster as possible,
because when happen teratogenic effects aused by mercury, will be
too late.

Sorry for Ingles. (Lucio, secretary)

Geraldo Guimaraes
Alameda Lucio Amaral #193
Conjunto Jardim Independencia
Bairro Nazare
66.040 Belem - Para - Brasil

Fone/Fax:(55-91)222-1589
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