ISLAMABAD: The deputy director of the climate change ministry, Dr Zaigam Abbas, has urged the provincial governments and relevant stakeholders to participate in phasing out the use of mercury in any form, in order to protect human health and the environment.

According to a press release, Dr Abbas met with the Balochistan environment secretary and the Balochistan Environmental Protection Agency (BEPA), and said that the absence of a viable legal mechanism was a major cause of the unchecked and hazardous use of mercury in various forms, such as in cosmetic products like skin lightening creams and soap, dental fillings, light bulbs, medical devices thermometers and medical apparatus used to check blood pressure, vaccines and batteries.

The deputy director urged the secretary and BEPA to join the climate change ministry`s efforts to phase out mercury use. He said Pakistan is also a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

`To meet the Convention`s requirements, the climate change ministry has initiated a project titled `Development of Minamata Initial Assessment in Pakistan`, which aims for strengthening the baselines on mercury management in the country, developing national mercury inventories, piloting of sectoral action plans as a follow up of prioritization including indicative sampling and hammering out national mercury management plans,` he informed the Balochistan government officials.

Signed in 2013 by the delegates of 140 countries, the convention is a United Nationsbrokered treaty designed to limit mercury use and emissions globally to protect health and the environment.

Mercury is recognised as a highly hazardous substance has a significant impact on the human neurological system, and onfoetuses andinfants.