Italy ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury

Italy ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Italian Senate ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury (DDL S. 1171 (http://www.senato.it/leg/18/BGT/Schede/Ddliter/51523.htm). The ratification of the Minamata Convention by the Italian Parliament is very much welcomed by the scientists of the Institute on Atmospheric Pollution of the CNR (CNR-IIA) who in the last 20 years have coordinated important research projects funded by the European Commission and major international organizations. The outcomes of CNR’s research activities contributed to improve our knowledge on key aspects of the biogeochemical cycle of mercury and their impact on human health and the global environment. CNR’s scientists have also provided an important contribution to the policy process by transferring the outcomes of the research in national and international contexts by participating to various technical negotiating meetings and ad-hoc expert groups as representatives of the European Union and Italy.