Mercury Levels in Maldivians Under Study: Ministry and UNEP Seek Participants
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The Ministry of Tourism and Environment is inviting eligible participants to take part in a study assessing mercury exposure levels in the Maldivian population, conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
What is Mercury?
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Mercury is a toxic mineral that can cause serious health issues when accumulated in the body, particularly affecting unborn children during pregnancy. The main source of mercury exposure for Maldivians is believed to be through seafood, as fish can contain high levels of mercury. Given the importance of seafood in the Maldivian diet, it is crucial to monitor mercury levels in the population, especially among women of childbearing age.
The study aims to measure mercury exposure through hair samples, with 20 strands of hair cut from the scalp used to determine the mercury levels in the body.
Call for participants! @MoTmv in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are conducting a survey to determine Mercury exposure levels in the Maldivian population. Please scroll through the post to learn more about the survey and how you can participate. pic.twitter.com/j4kXDfkAAc— Ministry of Tourism and Environment (@MoTmv) March 4, 2025
Who can participate?
- Participation in the study is open to native Maldivian women aged 18 to 35 who have lived continuously in Kaafu, Alifu Alifu, Alifu Dhaalu, or Vaavu Atoll for at least three years.
- Those interested in taking part must not smoke, have dyed hair, or be pregnant or breastfeeding (if previously pregnant, participants must have given birth at least three months ago).
- Individuals who participated in the 2023/2024 study are ineligible to join.
To register for the study, potential participants should call 3018367 before 25 March 2025. The program is free of charge, but spaces are limited.
The findings from this study will be published in a report, although personal information and participant identities will remain confidential. Individual results will be shared with participants upon completion of the study.
