Successful airborne mercury reductions in Colombia

Maps of airborne mercury concentrations show the distribution and intensity of mercury emissions that can be used to estimate human health risk. Direct comparison with international air quality standards is possible by extrapolating annual average concentrations from short term atmospheric monitoring. Mercury vapour concentrations in the urban core of Segovia, Colombia have decreased 50% from 2010 to 2012, despite a 30% increase in gold production. Part of the reduction may be displaced emissions, as sources have been relocated to adjacent rural areas. This is the first time that reductions in environmental concentrations of mercury associated with a mercury abatement project have been measured. The mercury mitigation efforts applied by UNIDO provide a hopeful model for future remediation campaigns.