Evaluating The Management Practice Of Anthropogenic Mercury Release In Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Many changes like increment of the population, expansion of health and other services deliveryrnand utilization of bulk consumer products containing mercury and increasing of transportationrndemand have increased the mercury release in Addis Ababa. A sector source based crosssectional study has been carried out to quantify the mercury release and evaluate its managementrnpractices.rnThe quantity of mercury released from the source groups were quantified using the UNEP toolkitrnfor quantification of Mercury (Hg). Open and close-ended questionnaires, observation, and keyrninformant interview have been used to collect primary information and then evaluate thernmanagement practice in the city Addis Ababa.rnSeven (7) main source categories of anthropogenic mercury releases such as extraction and usernof fuels/energy source, production of other minerals, consumer products with intentional use ofrnmercury, other intentional products, waste incineration and burning, Wasterndeposition/landfilling, wastewater treatment and cemetery was identified as mercury release inrnthe city.rnFrom the identified source group it has been found out the release of mercury was quantifiedrnusing UNEP Excel program for quantification of mercury and a total of 5534.5 Kg mercury wasrnreleased and of this release 1284.2 Kg to the air, 1130 Kg to the water, 1826.2 Kg to the Land,rn0.6 Kg to the Byproducts and impurities 1118.8 Kg to the general waste and 174.6 Kg to thernsector-specific treatment/ disposal media. The assessment showed that almost all organizationsrnare following week management system which was not supported by technology, awarenessraising and legal framework. The study concluded that significant amount of Mercury wasrnreleased to the environment and the current management practices do not comply with therninterest of the Minamata Convention that aimed protecting human and the environment from thernadverse effect of anthropogenic mercury source. Finally, the study suggests the development ofrnnational legal management framework, an adaptation of best available technology with lessrnmercury footprint, increasing public and stakeholder’s awareness and participation andrncapacitating the concerned government organization.

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