Hanoi (VNA) - The Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment (HUNRE) hosted an Asia-Pacificregional workshop on the reduction of mercury emission from coal combustion on October 31.
The eventprovided a forum for scientists, experts and managers from the region to shareresearch outcomes, management experiences and ideas regarding the control of pollutantemissions from the use of coal.
Deputy Rector ofthe HUNRE Pham Quy Nhan said the event is part of the technical assistance andcapacity building programme for countries participating in the Minamata Convention.
The UN Environment Programmehas warned that mercury pollution is becoming a global problem. The rapideconomic growth in Asia has stimulated the expansion of industries usingmercury during production, turning the continent into the biggest source ofmercury emissions, accounting for nearly 50 percent of the harmful waste in theworld. Coal combustion is one of the main sources of mercury emission,therefore it is urgent to seek specific solutions to this problem.
Participants focused theirdiscussion on the best available technical solutions and best environmentalexperiences in the field, emission accounting, access to available policy toolsand ideas for national-level projects./.