Int'l Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant / China June 2009

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends and Colleagues,I am pleased to forward on this announcement for the 9th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant, which will be held in Guiyang, China, June 6-12, 2009. For more information, please see below and the conference website link at: _http://www.mercury2009.org/_ (http://www.mercury2009.org/) Happy new year! Bender, DirectorMercury Policy Project/Zero Mercury Working Group1420 North StreetMontpelier, VT USA 05602_www.mercurypolicy.org_ (http://www.mercurypolicy.org/) _www.zeromercury.org_ (http://www.zeromercury.org/) Tel: +802-223-9000The 9th ICMGP, a conference where the mercury concerns of the developed and developing worlds will meet The International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (IGCMP), held periodically for over 15 years, has become the preeminent international forum for formal presentation and discussion of scientific advances concerning environmental mercury.The depth, breadth, and pace of scientific discoveries on the sources, environmental transport and fate, biogeochemical cycling, and adverse effects of mercury have increased enormously since the inaugural conference was convened in Sweden in 1990. Along with their rapid economic growths, countries such as China, India, South Africa and Brazil have become major mercury emitters in the world and as such have drawn more and more attention of the scientific community as well as national governments.The public health problems that developing countries are now facing regarding mercury exposure, as a sole actor or in combination with other environmental toxicants, outweigh those posed earlier to developed nations. To date, however, most studies regarding mercury cycling in the environment and its health impacts have been conducted in the developed world. Although the scientific outcomes from these studies will benefit understanding in the developing world, the particular application of this knowledge base to the developing countries must rely on local and regional studies still to emerge.The 9th IGCMP will thus present a timely opportunity to stimulate and universalize the scientific studies on mercury as a global pollutant. _http://www.mercury2009.org/introduction.htm_ (http://www.mercury2009.org/introduction.htm)

Main Themes: Examples of emerging and compelling mercury issues that will be discussed at the 9 th ICMGP • Energy production and mercury emissions • Cement production and mercury releases • PVC production and mercury releases • Mercury impacts of large scale vs. small scale mining • Pollution control and recovery of contaminated sites adapted to developing countries • Chemical cycle and hazards of mercury in urban smog • Mercury sources, emissions and inventories in developing vs. developed countries • Climate change and mercury cycling • Mercury cycling in polar regions • Organic macromolecules and mercury in aquatic systems • Human susceptibility and sensitivity to mercury exposure • Synergy of mercury with other contaminants in human health assessments • Threatened wildlife with the presence of mercury in the environment • World fisheries facing the presence of mercury in fish • Societal and socioeconomic effects of mercury pollution • Environmental justice and mercury contamination • Risk communication and public education regarding environmental mercury • Turning to sustainable growth taking mercury contamination as a lever _http://www.mercury2009.org/theme.htm_ (http://www.mercury2009.org/theme.htm) Guizhou, a world "mercury hot spot"Geologically, Guizhou is situated in the center of the Southwestern Low Temperature Hydro-thermal Mineralization Zone, which formed from the Devonian to the Triassic periods. A large number of mineral deposits including gold, arsenic, mercury, antimony, zinc and coal are distributed in the province. Meanwhile, Guizhou is also located in the Circum-Pacific Global Mercuriferous Belt. Over the past centuries, 12 large mercury mines have been exploited. About 78% of the overall national mercury recovery resource has been developed in this province, so that Guizhou has been termed the ¡°Mercury hottest spot of China ¡±.Mercury mining, metal smelting and coal combustion have brought about serious mercury contamination directly affecting Guizhou and contributing to regional and worldwide mercury contamination. Getting aware of the health impacts of mercury exposure of its citizens, most particularly so those living in the vicinity of mercury mines, the central government of China and the provincial government of Guizhou are dedicated to turn the unrestrained transition of their economy into sustainable growth.In that context, the 9th ICMGP will constitute a unique forum where the best international mercury experts wills meet with Chinese stakeholders. _http://www.mercury2009.org/guizhou.htm_ (http://www.mercury2009.org/guizhou.htm)

About GuiyangGuiyang, a unique destination in China, mingling rich multiculturalism, fascinating multi-millenary heritage and astonishing modernity. The 9th ICMPG will be held convened in Guiyang, China, at the Guiyang Convention and Exhibition Center, June 7-12, 2009. The 3.5 million people city of Guiyang is the vibrant capital of the Guizhou province in Southwestern China. It lies at an average altitude of 1050 m above sea level and its pleasant climate is characterized in June by average day-temperature of 22.3 ¡ãC and moderate precipitations. The Guizhou population, 39 million people in 2006, is fascinatingly diverse, being constituted at 38% by ethnic minorities (Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yi, Shui, Hui, Gelao, Zhuang, Yao , Man, Bai, etc) who kept their distinctive cultures alive. The sceneries of the Guizhou province, in particular in the immediate surroundings of Guiyang, are blessed by a very rich subtropical biodiversity, abundant forests alternating with stunning paddy fields and bucolic traditional rural villages. Major tourists attractions such as the Zhijin Cave, the largest cavern in China, and the Huangguoshu Falls, China 's premier cascade, are within a few hours easy reach from Guiyang.

_http://www.mercury2009.org/guiyang.htm_ (http://www.mercury2009.org/guiyang.htm)