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     Mercury Poisoning Prompts Peru to Declare State of Emergency in Amazon

   by VOA News

   Peru's President Ollanta Humala has declared a 60-day state of
   emergency in a large remote area of the Amazon jungle because of
   extremely high levels of mercury poisoning from illegal gold mining.

   The country's environment minister said 41 percent of the population of
   Madre de Dios is being exposed. The mercury is not only in people, but
   also polluting rivers and fish.

   The government plans to send hospital ships and loads of untainted fish
   to the area, near the border with Brazil.

   Peruvian officials blame the mercury contamination on illegal gold
   mining, saying the miners use mercury to separate the gold from rock
   and dump the chemical into the rivers.

   The government is trying to clamp down on illegal mining.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/peru-state-emergency-amazon-mercury-p
   oisoning/3342904.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/peru-state-emergency-amazon-mercury-poisoning/3342904.html