Reducing health risks from mercury
WHO supports Member States to reduce the health risks from mercury poisoning. All forms of mercury are toxic to humans, ecosystems and wildlife, and even relatively low doses can cause serious neurotoxic effects in children. WHO considers mercury to be one of the top 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern.
People are mainly exposed to methylmercury, an organic compound of mercury, when they eat fish and shellfish contaminated by the compound. Exposure to mercury can also occur in emergency situations, when mercury leaks from broken mercury-containing devices, and at workplaces. In addition, people can be exposed through the use of skin-lightening creams and soaps that contain mercury.
The elimination of mercury and its compounds is a global challenge. The Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global agreement that entered into force in 2017, aims to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury and its compounds. As of 2024 more than 60% of Member States in the WHO European Region have ratified the Convention.
The health sector, including WHO, shares responsibilities for effectively implementing the Convention at national, regional and global levels. WHO is responsible for advocating and acting to prevent exposure to mercury and its compounds, including by gradually reducing and eliminating health-care products that contain mercury; developing health protection strategies; promoting protection measures; and raising awareness about the health effects of mercury.
WHO also supports countries by providing policy and technical advice, developing relevant tools and guidance, and building capacity. WHO promotes the use of human biomonitoring as an effective instrument to support policies and actions to prevent and reduce health risks from mercury.
