The member countries of the United Nations have approved this week a convention aimed at establishing a control on mercury emissions into the environment, a new agreement that is established as the first, in the last decade, on environmental matters of global scope established within the framework of the UN.

It is a convention that prevents and allows the reduction of mercury, a substance that causes serious health and environmental problems. In this way, guidelines are set to reduce these emissions, both into the atmosphere and into the river and marine environment, so that it can be complemented by economic interests. Of note is the publication of all products with mercury in their mercury content, whose production, import and export will be prohibited within a period of five to ten years.

This agreement is expected to be signed at the next international conference to be held in Japan next October.