Laboratory networks for mercury and other contaminant analyses in regional hubs throughout the world, especially in mercury hotspots, will provide important information for the assessment of risk, both to humans and wildlife, in these environments.

BRI’s extensive mercury work in the Caribbean Region has led the way for the first network of integrated laboratories to be established. The primary toxicology laboratory will be located in Antigua and Barbuda, with secondary laboratories in other Caribbean countries. These labs will serve as the regional hubs for mercury analyses of abiotic and biotic samples that are used for assessing human and environmental health.

Download the Caribbean Region Mercury Monitoring Network report here.

Under the Minamata Convention, individual countries are charged with protecting human health and the environment from the risks of mercury exposure by systematically controlling mercury emissions and releases, including phasing out the use of mercury in certain products and processes.

In order to assist with preparations for the ratification and implementation of the Convention, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda conducted a Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA).

Click here to download the full brochure.

• Population: 100,963 (World Bank 2016)
• Surface Area: 442 sq km (UN Data 2014)
• Capital City: Saint John’s
• Official Language: English
• Fish Production: 3,000 Tonnes (FAO 2015)
• UN Membership Date: November 11, 1981

Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gathered in Jolly Harbour, Antigua, March 14-16, 2018, for the Minamata Initial Assessment Regional Inception Meeting and Inventory Workshop. At the workshop, BRI’s David Evers, Oksana Lane, and Molly Taylor presented on a variety of mercury-related topics such as the development of national mercury inventories, biomonitoring, cosmetic sampling, and air sampling.