PRESS RELEASE: Video of early identification of mercury intoxication for 71 health agencies in sever

Denpasar, 18 August 2016 - In conjunction with the celebration of the 71th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, BaliFokus Foundation distributed an animated video to identify early symptoms of mercury intoxication using the Human Bio-Monitoring (HBM) method. The animated video has been distributed to 71 local health agencies that have artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) practices in several provinces throughout the territory of Indonesia.

The animated video, that was a result of collaboration between the BaliFokus Foundation and 4Life OHS Services, have been distributed and packed in the USB flash disk that contains the following materials: an animated video to identify the Hg intoxication symptoms using the HBM method in Bahasa Indonesia; the transcript of the video in Bahasa Indonesia; the form and checklist to perform the HBM method in Bahasa Indonesia (pdf and word documents formats); and a booklet regarding mercury and its impact on health and the environment.

The ASGM practices with mercury used in its process to extract gold can be found almost in all provinces of Indonesia. The use of mercury in gold extraction process has significant impact on public and environment health around the ASGM areas. Beside discovered various “strange” diseases in adults living in ASGM areas, BaliFokus also found many cases of birth defects in the ASGM hotspots suspected due to the chronic exposure of mercury used in gold extraction in the respective villages. The poor conditions of health services due to mercury pollution affected the quality of life of the next generation in the ASGM hotspots and potentially threaten the national resilience.

The distribution of the animated video is expected to be used by the local governments, especially the health agencies, community health centers and local academics as one of the approaches to increase the public health surveillance and monitoring especially in mercury-polluted ASGM hotspots in Indonesia.

This animated video is adapted from an assessment method using the Human Bio-Monitoring schemes for mercury intoxication, developed by a health expert team led by PD Dr. med. Stephan Böse-O'Reilly, MPH., Team Leader of Pediatric Environmental Epidemiology Working Group of Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Environmental and Social Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU. This method has been used in many countries that have ASGM practices since 2003.

The video production and dissemination has been made possible through the pilot grant support from the Goldman Environmental Foundation & Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties, California, USA.

BaliFokus Foundation is a non-governmental organization working to improve community’s capacity, quality of life and advocating a toxics-free environment together with all stakeholders in sustainable way

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For more information:

Yuyun Ismawati; yuyun@balifokus.asia; HP/WA +447583768707

Krishna Zaki; krishna@balifokus.asia; HP/WA: +6281230002825

The press release document can be downloaded here.

You can also watch the animated video here.

List of HBM Video USB Flash Disk Recipients:

1. Health Agency of Pidie Regency, NAD Province

2. Health Agency of Pidie Jaya Regency, NAD Province

3. Health Agency of Aceh Besar Regency, NAD Province

4. Health Agency of Aceh Jaya Regency, NAD Province

5. Health Agency of North Aceh Regency, NAD Province

6. Health Agency of West Aceh Regency, NAD Province

7. Health Agency of Southwest Aceh Regency, NAD Province

8. Health Agency of Central Aceh Regency, NAD Province

9. Health Agency of South Aceh Regency, NAD Province

10. Health Agency of Aceh Singkil Regency, NAD Province

11. Health Agency of Gayo Lues Regency, NAD Province

12. Health Agency of Subussalam Regency, NAD Province

13. Health Agency of Nagan Raya Regency, NAD Province

14. Health Agency of Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatera Province

15. Health Agency of Pasaman Regency, West Sumatera Province

16. Health Agency of Solok Regency, West Sumatera Province

17. Health Agency of South Solok Regency, West Sumatera Province

18. Health Agency of Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province

19. Health Agency of North Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province

20. Health Agency of Kampar Regency, Riau Province

21. Health Agency of Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, South Sumatera Province

22. Health Agency of Bungo Regency, Jambi Province

23. Health Agency of Sarolangun Regency, Jambi Province

24. Health Agency of South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province

25. Health Agency of Lebak Regency, Banten Province

26. Health Agency of Bogor Regency, West Java Province

27. Health Agency of Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province

28. Health Agency of Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province

29. Health Agency of Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province

30. Health Agency of Wonogiri Regency, Central Java Province

31. Health Agency of Pacitan Regency, East Java Province

32. Health Agency of Trenggalek Regency, East Java Province

33. Health Agency of Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan Province

34. Health Agency of Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan Province

35. Health Agency of Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan Province

36. Health Agency of Landak Regency, West Kalimantan Province

37. Health Agency of Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan Province

38. Health Agency of Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan Province

39. Health Agency of Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan Province

40. Health Agency of North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan Province

41. Health Agency of Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan Province

42. Health Agency of West Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan Province

43. Health Agency of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan Province

44. Health Agency of West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province

45. Health Agency of Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province

46. Health Agency of Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan Province

47. Health Agency of Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province

48. Health Agency of Kota Baru Regency, South Kalimantan Province

49. Health Agency of Bitung City, North Sulawesi Province

50. Health Agency of Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province

51. Health Agency of Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi Province

52. Health Agency of Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province

53. Health Agency of Palu City, Central Sulawesi Province

54. Health Agency of Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi Province

55. Health Agency of Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province

56. Health Agency of Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province

57. Health Agency of Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province

58. Health Agency of West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province

59. Health Agency of Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province

60. Health Agency of East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province

61. Health Agency of West Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province

62. Health Agency of Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province

63. Health Agency of East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province

64. Health Agency of South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province

65. Health Agency of Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province

66. Health Agency of North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province

67. Health Agency of Buru Regency, Maluku Province

68. Health Agency of Manokwari Regency, West Papua Province

69. Health Agency of Mimika Regency, Papua Province

70. Health Agency of Nabire Regency, Papua Province

71. Health Agency of Jayapura Regency, Papua Province