(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Some sixty percent of the members of the Wayana communities Apetina and Anapayke have mercury levels above the safety limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Using hair samples, the communities themselves examined the risk they are running of mercury pollution. The results of the examination were recently published in the scientific journal Hindawi. The foundation Wadeken Wasjibon Maria (SWWM) and the Suriname Indigenous Health Fund (SIHF) supported the communities. It turns out that the mercury levels in both communities are significantly higher than those deemed acceptable by the WHO. Of the 158 participants from Apetina, 12 percent are complaining about a loss of feeling in the arms, fingers and toes. In Anapayke, this is 36 percent of 106 participants. Other complaints reported by a quarter of the total community include headaches and sad, even depressed feelings. The results show that the Indigenous community in South-East Suriname runs an increased risk of life-long health problems due to exposure to mercury. The unique aspect of this examination is that the community itself was involved in the process. They were assisted by western researchers. Aptuk Noewahé, the Wayana Granman or head chief of Apetina says that in the past, research was conducted by scientists who “came, said big things, made promises and then left without informing the community about the course of the research, let alone the results.” It is estimated that each year in Suriname, 20,000 kilos of mercury ends up in the environment a year due to the activities of small-scale and private gold miners. Due to illegal gold mining activities in particular, mercury often goes directly into rivers and creeks which local communities live off. The Wayana Indigenous people live in isolated communities along the Tapanahony and Lawa Rivers and live off hunting, the land and fishing. Most participants in the examination say they eat fish from the river more than 14 times a week. That means the villagers have high mercury levels and run the risk of physical ailments.
