Mercury and human health: educational course

Abstract

Mercury is toxic for humans and has potential to cause multiple adverse health effects. The adoption and entry into force of the Minamata Convention on Mercury have opened new opportunities for facilitating actions aimed at minimizing and preventing the negative impact of mercury and its compounds on human health. Sharing of knowledge and expertise is needed to assist the health sector in the implementation of the Minamata Convention and the related resolution of the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly. This educational course was developed to support the training of public health and health-care professionals, medical and other allied students and professionals, and decision-makers in the health and environmental sectors. It compiles information on human exposure to different types of mercury and their health effects, the use of mercury in the health sector, and the policy and technical documents guiding preventive actions at a national level.