Study links mercury levels to hinterland fish consumption
A GUYANA Environmental Management and Capacity Development Programme (GENCAPD) study has found that mercury levels in persons living in the hinterland communities of Isseneru, Micobie and Gunns Strip along the Mazaruni River, has dropped. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded project, to probe  the phenomenon due to behavioural changes within the areas, ended last week,  when  GENCAPD Head and scientific consultant, Mr. Richard Couture presented the findings during the sixth and final meeting.
He said the evolution of the survey was based on the premise that there was an increased presence of mercury at mine sites/areas in Guyana as the substance is used in the mining process.
In his presentation, Couture said an increased level of the substance was found in individuals living in three mining locations, due to the greater consumption of fish because of its abundance and availability, as well as the adopted lifestyle of the resident indigenous inhabitants.
He disclosed that, during the first phase of the project, GENCAPD One, tests were done in eight communities along the Mazaruni River, at Paruima, Mahdia, Kurupung, Eyelash, Tumereng, Isseneru, Micobie and Gunns Strip, with residents in the last three having high levels of mercury.
According to him, the normal level in the human body should be 10.15 microgrammes (mg) but Isseneru recorded 18.2 mg, Micobie 21.3 mg and at Gunns Strip 24.8 mg.
In his analysis of the data presented, Couture explained that, at Gunns Strip, the residents consumed not only a larger amount of fish but bigger species as well, which are prevalent in that part of the Essequibo River.
To complement the findings under GENCAPD One, it was continued on a more in depth basis under the auspices of GENCAPD Two, which focused on reducing the detected levels of mercury, primarily in children under three years old and pregnant women of Isseneru, Micobie and Gunns Strip, Couture disclosed.
He said results, at the end of the research period, showed that the levels of mercury in Isseneru dropped from 18.2 to 15 mg; Micobie from 21.3 to 10 mg and at Gunns Strip from 24.8 mg to 21mg.
Explaining the reduction at Micobie, Couture pointed out that it could have been as a result of changes in the social and economic situation which is a direct consequence of mining activities, enabling the residents there to afford alternative food supplies.
He said another interesting aspect of the study was the presence of mercury in non- mining areas, an occurrence attributed to the fact that it is in vapour form, which travels easily and was deposited in areas like Gunns Strip.
In its liquid form it would remain stagnant and unable to spread to other mining sites.
The study was conducted in two phases, from 2000 to 2007 and 2007 to 2010.