ENVIRONMENTAL group BAN Toxics on July 8 raised the alarm over the sale of elemental mercury, which is also known as silver mercury or quicksilver, via Facebook Marketplace.
While monitoring online, the group found 23 active postings on Facebook Marketplace for silver mercury offered by sellers in the following locations: Angeles City (Pampanga), Baguio City (Benguet), Santa Maria (Bulacan), Silang (Cavite), Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City (Cebu), Iloilo City (Iloilo), San Pedro City (Laguna), Lipa City (Batangas) and the Metro Manila cities of Makati, Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay and Quezon City.
The group’s statement cited the postings’ promotion of silver mercury as a “high-density, silver-colored liquid metal used in gold mining, amalgamation, scientists’ instruments and chemical synthesis.” A flask or cylinder has an average net weight of 34.5 kilograms and can fetch prices ranging from P22,000 to P71,000.
The BAN Toxics’ statement reminded the public that the importation, sale and distribution of the “highly toxic chemical” are strictly regulated and even prohibited in many cases. To protect the public, the country ratified laws in alignment with the Minamata Convention in 2020 to “eliminate mercury use in products, processes and trade.”
Thony Dizon, BAN Toxics’ advocacy and campaign officer, further cited a World Health Organization description of mercury as a neurotoxin “that can cause irreparable damage to the nervous system.” He called its open selling through online platforms “appalling.”
“Despite our strict laws and regulations on mercury, it begs the question: how does this hazardous substance continue to enter the country?” Dizon asked.
BAN Toxics called for the investigation of individuals and groups involved in the illegal scales by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau. It also asked the Department of Trade and Industry to “strengthen regulation of online platforms facilitating such transactions.” It demanded the immediate action of online platforms like Facebook in deleting the listings involved in the illegal trade.
ARIC JOHN SY CUA
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