“It is noteworthy that some areas with high averages of mercury are upriver from the mining zones,” states the map, which was shown to Health Ministry officials earlier this year. The map suggests the second worse-hit area is inside the Manu park itself, immediately upriver from Boca Manu, along the River Manu’s left bank. Facebook Twitter Pinterest According to US-based scientists, the people living upriver from gold-mining in Peru’s Madre de Dios region are the most contaminated by mercury. He says the Health Ministry has “real monetary constraints right now due to expenditures of the prior ministry”. Peru’s Health Ministry did not respond to questions.

Source: The Guardian November 19, 2016 11:51 UTC