IPEN: toxics-free

A report cover featuring a large photo of a wooden gold-mining dredge on a river with dense forest in the background. Below, a blue title bar reads: “Mercury Exposure of Women in Two Latin American Gold Mining Countries: Elevated mercury levels found among women where mercury is used in gold mining and contaminates the food chain.” Two smaller images underneath show a riverside community with thatched huts and a researcher placing a sample into a plastic bag. The cover notes “October 2025” and includes the IPEN logo at the bottom.

A recent IPEN study reveals alarming mercury levels among Indigenous women in Peru and Nicaragua in communities living near small-scale gold mining areas and relying on fish for food.

Read and download here: ipen.org/news/mercury...

YouTube video by CNN 10 How many chemicals are you being exposed to every day? | October 14, 2025

Watch the CNN video featuring IPEN Executive Director Björn Beeler describing risks to our health from toxic plastic chemicals, including phthalates, the "everywhere and everyone" chemicals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd64...

IPEN’s Lee Bell shares, “National and international measures (such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury) to control mercury contamination from gold mining in Nicaragua are not effective in their current form and need to be strengthened"

Gold mining exposes Indigenous women in Nicaragua to high mercury levels Indigenous women of childbearing age from Nicaragua’s Waspam municipality have been exposed to toxic levels of mercury, according to a new report by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (I...

Aimee Gabay reports in @mongabay.com on an IPEN study found 80% of Indigenous women of childbearing age in Nicaragua’s Waspam region had mercury levels above the U.S. EPA safety limit, with 98% exceeding the stricter 0.58 ppm threshold: news.mongabay.com/short-articl...

These toxic "forever chemicals" were detected in nearly all samples, often exceeding regulatory limits. The study links the textile industry, a major global supplier for fashion brands, to significant PFAS water pollution.

A report cover titled “Persistent Threat: PFAS in Textiles and Water in Bangladesh” (May 2024). The top half shows a magnifying glass focusing on a map of Bangladesh near Dhaka, alongside an arm wearing a blue glove. The bottom image shows a gloved hand collecting a water sample in a clear glass container, creating reflections on the water’s surface. Logos for ESDO and IPEN appear at the bottom.

A study published by the ESDO and IPEN last year, researchers found high levels of PFAS chemicals in surface and tap water samples near textile industry areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Download the report here: ipen.org/documents/pe...

IPEN and our global members have produced original scientific research, country-based data, and policy proposals to address the health and environmental threats from plastics.

We’ve produced more than 135 publications in more than 85 countries, visualized in this map: ipen-plastic-map.vercel.app

A graphic with a blue background and the IPEN logo reads, “Learn about what IPEN Participating Organizations did for International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025.” Below the text, an image shows two people painting a bright yellow walkway with a large blue symbol, using brushes and an open can of paint. The scene appears to be outdoors, with the painters wearing blue shirts and working on a concrete surface.

ICYMI – IPEN Participating Organizations (POs) from around the world led events in their countries for the 2025 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) in October.

Scroll through this list and learn more about the organizations and projects that took place: ipen.org/projects/int...

A reminder that this Beyond Plastics webinar is happening on Wednesday, November 12, at 7pm EST (US).

Learn more and RSVP: www.beyondplastics.org/events/toxic...

Communities in the Amazon, Africa, and Asia are being poisoned as mercury contaminates rivers and food sources. Indigenous leaders at COP-6 demanded action, but governments delayed once again.

Graphic from IPEN highlighting a statement about the Minamata Convention on Mercury COP6. The image shows delegates in a conference hall holding “No More Mercury” reports. The text reads: “Read: Mercury Treaty Fails to Address the Gold Mining Crisis,” followed by a quote from IPEN Technical and Policy Advisor Lee Bell criticizing the lack of action on mercury pollution in the Amazon and urging decisive action at COP-7 to end mercury trade and artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

While #COP6 delegates agreed to phase out mercury in dental fillings, they failed to act on the biggest source of mercury pollution—small-scale gold mining.

Read IPEN’s full response and our call to end mercury use in gold mining: ipen.org/news/mercury...

YouTube video by Geneva Environment Network Health, Human Rights and Mercury Impacts of ASGM: Prioritising health interventions

ICYMI last week, you can watch Health, Human Rights and Mercury Impacts of ASGM: Prioritising Health Interventions on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoR...

This webinar highlighted urgent health impacts of mercury, explored strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and more.

“Eight years after entering into force, the convention should signal a stronger commitment to prioritizing health over gold,” said Yuyun Ismawati.

Mercury treaty summit criticized for inaction on gold mining crisis A global mercury summit in Geneva has faced criticism from environmental and Indigenous groups for failing to act on mercury use in small-scale gold mining, the world’s top source of mercury pollution...

Steven Grattan at The Associated Press reports on the sharp criticism of the latest mercury summit for failing to take stronger action against mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Read here: apnews.com/article/merc...

Graphic promoting an IPEN report from the Minamata Convention on Mercury COP6. The image shows a river scene with a wooden gold mining structure and several people working along the shore, surrounded by dense forest. Text above reads: “Read our report from the Minamata Convention on Mercury COP6: Mercury Treaty Fails to Address the Gold Mining Crisis,” alongside the IPEN logo and tagline “for a toxics-free future.”

Read our report from the Minamata Convention on Mercury COP6: ipen.org/news/mercury...

The ban on mercury in dental fillings is a positive step, but small-scale gold mining will remain the largest global contributor to mercury pollution without urgent action.

#MercuryTreaty #MinamataCOP6

Graphic promoting IPEN’s briefing titled “Mercury Pollution from Oil and Gas.” The design features a red background with the IPEN logo at the top and bold white text that reads: “Download IPEN’s Briefing, ‘Mercury Pollution from Oil and Gas.’” Below, an image of a tablet displays the briefing’s first page, which discusses mercury emissions from fossil fuel extraction and includes a map illustrating affected regions.

A hidden source of mercury pollution: the oil and gas industry.

IPEN’s new briefing exposes how this fuels global mercury contamination and urges urgent action to stop it.

📘 Read more: ipen.org/documents/me...

#Mercury #FossilFuels #ASGM #ToxicsFreeFuture

Graphic promoting IPEN’s briefing titled “Ending Mercury Pollution: The Need to Strengthen the Mercury Treaty.” The design features a green background with the IPEN logo and a tablet displaying the document. White bold text encourages readers to download the briefing, which discusses the need to end the global mercury trade and phase out mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).

The Minamata Convention must be strengthened to end the world’s mercury crisis.
IPEN’s brief outlines two amendments needed to protect health and the environment:
• End the global mercury trade
• Phase out mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) by 2032
ipen.org/documents/en...

A new IPEN study reveals alarming mercury levels among Indigenous women in Peru and Nicaragua in communities living near small-scale gold mining areas and relying on fish for food.
ipen.org/documents/me...
Mercury pollution from gold mining is a human rights and public health crisis.

Graphic promoting IPEN’s “Quick Views on the Minamata Convention on Mercury – Sixth Conference of the Parties.” The design features a tablet displaying the Quick Views document and text encouraging users to download it. The message reads: “Download: Quick Views Mercury Treaty COP6. Learn how governments can act now to stop mercury trafficking and close loopholes in global trade rules,” alongside the IPEN logo and a blue background.

Most mercury being traded today ends up in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. This contaminates rivers, fish, and communities worldwide. It’s time to end this toxic trade once and for all.

Download IPEN’s Quick Views on the Mercury Treaty COP-6: ipen.org/documents/qu...

UN warns Colombia over mercury contamination in Atrato River, calls crisis a human rights emergency A United Nations letter to Colombia warns that mercury contamination from illegal gold mining in the Atrato River basin is causing a grave human rights crisis for Indigenous and Afro-descendant commun...

The Associated Press reported in October that the United Nations has warned of a “serious and ongoing human rights crisis” in Colombia’s Atrato River basin, where mercury from illegal gold mining has poisoned communities and ecosystems.
apnews.com/article/un-c...

#Live now!

Join this #MinamataCOP6 Knowledge Lab focusing on #HumanRights of groups in vulnerable situations, the health impacts of mercury, and strategies for prevention & guidance to strengthen health systems.

▶️ tiny.cc/COP6KnowledgeLab4Nov25
📺 www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoR...

It's Day 2⃣ at #MinamataCOP6!
 
Participants gather for regional meetings, as delegates delve into discussions on key items:
 
🟡 #ASGM
🟡 Mercury waste
🟡 Programme of work and budget
🟡 National reporting
🟡 Effectiveness evaluation
🟡 & more
 
▶️ tiny.cc/GENRoadtoMinam…

With a focus on the human rights of groups in vulnerable situations, especially women, children, and Indigenous Peoples, this event will highlight urgent health impacts of mercury, explore strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and share guidance to strengthen health systems.

Promotional graphic for an informal meeting at COP6 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The event, titled “Health, Human Rights and Mercury Impacts of ASGM: Prioritising Health Interventions,” is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 18:00–18:45 CET at Room 3, Level -1, CICG. The design features logos of the UN Human Rights Office, IPEN, and the Minamata Convention, with a photo of a woman holding a child inside a wooden home and a bright yellow and white color scheme.

Informational flyer for a COP6 Minamata Convention meeting co-organized by IPEN, OHCHR, the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, and Mexico. The text explains that the event will address gaps in implementing Article 16 of the Minamata Convention, focusing on the human rights and health of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and Indigenous Peoples. It lists speakers such as Dr. Marcos Orellana, Mrs. Miriam Gabriela Medel García, Mr. Lucas Infantozzi Albertoni, Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Ms. Rochelle Diver, Ms. Yuyun Ismawati, and Ms. Ana Paula de Souza, who will moderate the session.

A Minamata Convention COP-6 Knowledge Lab is happening today, Tue, Nov. 4, from 18:00-18:45 CET.

Health, Human Rights and Mercury Impacts of ASGM: Prioritising health interventions
For those in Geneva it is in CICG, Room 3.
It will also be online.
www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/healt...

Graphic promoting IPEN’s ASGM (artisanal and small-scale gold mining) reports. The top section has a red background with the IPEN logo and white text that reads, “Read ASGM reports from work happening in Bolivia, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Uganda.” The bottom image shows a close-up of water flowing down a sluice with a pan containing silvery material, a plastic bottle nearby, and a person’s bare feet at the edge.

Mercury is used by miners in small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in a process called amalgamation. The ASGM sector is the primary source of mercury contamination globally, impacting millions of lives.

IPEN POs developed ASGM reports on the situation in their countries: ipen.org/documents/me...

The cover page shows a report titled “The Global Mercury Trade,” published in October 2025. The design features a blue and white layout with charts referencing Chatham House data sources and mentions that mercury trade increased from 1,200 tonnes in 2017 to 1,700 tonnes in 2022. The page includes the IPEN logo and references to figures illustrating legally traded mercury quantities by year.

IPEN warns that the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) continues to be the leading global source of mercury pollution.

Read our briefing about the global mercury trade: ipen.org/documents/gl...

The cover image shows a river in a forested area with people working near the shore and a wooden gold mining structure in the water. Below, smaller images show thatched huts along a tropical riverbank and a person wearing gloves placing a sample into a plastic bag. The title reads “Mercury Exposure of Women in Two Latin American Gold Mining Countries,” with a subheading about elevated mercury levels, the IPEN logo, and the publication date, October 2025.

As this latest IPEN study exposes, Indigenous women in Peru and Nicaragua that live where small-scale gold mining takes place have high levels of mercury in their bodies.

Download the report here: ipen.org/documents/me...

The image combines a green background featuring the IPEN logo and text with an abstract splash of vivid red, yellow, and green paint on the right. The text reads: “Read about what IPEN Participating Organizations did for International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025.” It visually connects IPEN’s campaign messaging with the creative, colorful imagery of paint to highlight advocacy around eliminating lead exposure.

IPEN and its participating organizations (POs) worldwide joined forces with local and global partners for the 2025 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) from October 19-25.

Read about what the organizations did around the world for ILPPW: ipen.org/projects/int...

A red background with diagonal blue lines frames the text: “Download Quick Views – Mercury Treaty COP6.” Below, a tablet screen displays a document titled “Quick Views on the Minamata Convention on Mercury Sixth Conference of the Parties,” with the IPEN logo in the header. Another IPEN logo and the tagline “for a toxics-free future” appear in the bottom right corner.

The Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury takes place Nov 3–7 in Geneva.

IPEN’s Quick Views outline key decisions and call for bold action to end global mercury trade and phase out ASGM by 2032.

Read and download: ipen.org/documents/qu...

California has sued three major plastic bag manufacturers for falsely marketing their products as recyclable, while reaching a $1.8 million settlement with four others.

Valerie Volcovici explains in Reuters: www.reuters.com/sustainabili...