> [ 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)
> 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 Amazon 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>Telex:(55-91)1967.E-Mail:sopren@secom.ufpa.br
This is very much the problem faced by the Crees and Innu of Northeast
Canada, but the mercury is introduced into the environment from
transport of upstream soil and eroded river bed materials and
sediments, as well as from decomposing flooded vegetation and organic
matter. All of this is caused by the construction of hydroelectric
reservoirs, at James Bay, Nelson Churchil, Churchill Falls, etc. And
now they want to build more, and cause more damage, poisoning the
Cree, the Innu. the Ojibway, the Inuit, and the Yannomamo, and other
South American indigenous peoples..
Mercury causes birth defects (as stated above), and can cause DNA
damage, as well as severe brain damage in adults, but especially in
the young. It is able to stop photosynthesis in a number of plants,
which is disaterous for the environment.
Please put international pressure on the Brazillian and Canadian
governments to stop dams, clean up mercury contamination and protect
the indigenous peoples.
OPIRG-Carleton has a Hudson Bay Working Group, which does research on
dam projects, and on mercury contamination, its effects, etc. We even
have some peer-reviewed papers.
Email for more info. to wcsbeau@alfred.carleton.ca
Dianne Murray, Coordinator, HBWG