A primer on human rights and toxic chemicals
The primer provides a simple, easy to understand introduction to Human Rights and toxic chemicals for government officials and civil society organizations and stakeholders information on toxic chemicals, particularly its sound management, and its linkages to human rights.
Download here: english
Mercury Fact Sheet: A primer on mercury
This primer provides a brief introduction on mercury and its corresponding adverse effects to human health and the environment. It explains why mercury should be considered a chemical of concern and how we can better manage it.
Download here: mercury-primer
Mercury and Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in the Philippines
This primer provides a brief introduction on mercury and its prevalence of use in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector in the Philippines.
Download here: mercury-asgm-primer-tagalog
Participatory research and action guide to monitoring mercury use in the Philippines
This participatory research guide to monitoring mercury use and pollution is meant to help enhance the capacity of communities to monitor mercury use and pollution in their areas using local knowledge.
What’s up in the air? Mercury vapor levels in dental institutions
This study was undertaken to determine mercury (Hg) vapor levels in ambient air in institutions such as dental schools and supply stores to provide a picture of the extent of the Hg pollution in the sector.
Download here: whats-up-in-the-air
Minamata convention on mercury ratification and implementation
The purpose of the Manual is to provide a simple, easy to understand introduction to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Convention) for those officials who may need information about the Convention and its obligations, and about national activities which may be undertaken in preparation for Convention ratification and …
Download here: english / spanish / french
Demystifying the impacts of a basel ban amendment ratification by the Philippines
The purpose of the Manual is to provide a simple, easy to understand introduction to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Convention) for those officials who may need information about the Convention and its obligations, and about national activities …
Download here: demistifying-basel-ban-amendment
Mercury Trade in the Philippines
In an effort to gain a good picture of mercury flow in the Philippines, Ban Toxics! conducted an investigative research during the first semester of 2012.
Download here: mercury-trade
Chasing Mercury: Measuring mercury levels in the air across the Philippines
Ban Toxics! (BT) initiated a survey of mercury levels in several areas in the Philippines as a preliminary step to address the gap. With the technical assistance of the European Environment Bureau and the Zero Mercury Working Group, BT collected data to investigate the unacknowledged mercury air pollution in the country.
Download here: chasing-mercury
The Price of Gold
Several studies have been carried out in the Philippines to probe the effects of mercury pollution from ASGM. Results of these investigations reveal that drinking waters and river systems have exceeded recommended water quality criteria due to mercury…
Download here: the-price-of-gold
Mercury Trade in Asia
An investigative research on mercury flows in Mongolia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Download here: mercury-trade-in-asia
Illicit Mercury Flows and Governance Practices in Mindanao, Philippines
This study investigates the factors that contribute to the continued use of mercury through an analysis of the current trade and governance practices in Mindanao where majority of illicit mercury enters the country.
Download here: illicit-mercury-flows
This report was commissioned by the IUCN – National Committee of the Netherlands, and is part of a series of reports from various countries.
Addressing Mercury Pollution in Cambodia’s Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities
An investigative research on how Cambodia addresses mercury pollution in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities.
Download here: mercury-pollution-cambodia
Civil Society and Government Plan for Sound Chemicals Management in Mongolia
An investigative research on addressing sound chemicals and wastes management in Mongolia with the help of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and the government.
Download here: cso-governmentplan-mongolia
This is part of the output for the US Department of State (USDOS) funded project entitled “Developing Mercury Inventories in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Sector in Southeast Asia”.
Local Action Plans for Mercury Elimination and Management in the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Communities in the Philippines
A research on addressing mercury elimination and management in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector in the Philippines.
Download here: mercury-actionplan-philippines
This is part of the output for the US Department of State (USDOS) funded project entitled “Developing Mercury Inventories in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Sector in Southeast Asia”.
Development of National and Regional Approaches to Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury and Mercury Monitoring in Southeast Asia: Learnings and Final Report
The report provides a summary of the outputs and report on the outcome and impacts the project has generated. It also highlights the significant learning and insights into the mercury issue in the Philippines and Indonesia and serves as a guide for CSOs and the government who may wish to undertake…
Download here: approaches-mercury-southeast-asia
This is part of the output for the US Department of State (USDOS) funded project entitled “Developing Mercury Inventories in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining Sector in Southeast Asia”.
Policy Paper on the Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury and Mercury Compounds in the Philippines
A policy paper aiming to examine the policy options for environmentally sound management on storage and disposal of mercury and mercury compounds by the Minamata Convention and the Basel Convention.
Download here: mercury-policypaper-ph
This is part of the output for the US Department of State (USDOS) funded project entitled “Development of National and Regional Approaches to Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury in Southeast Asia”.
Investigating Mercury: A Guide to Environmental Monitoring
A manual for training community stakeholders and individuals in conducting mercury concentration measurements in different mediums in suspected high-risk areas particularly in ASGM sites, dental clinics, and waste dumpsites and landfills.
Download here: investigating-mercury-monitoring
This is part of the output for the US Department of State (USDOS) funded project entitled “Development of National and Regional Approaches to Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury in Southeast Asia”.
Participatory Research and Action Guide to Monitoring Mercury Use in ASGM in the Philippines: A Community-Based Monitoring Approach
This participatory research guide to monitoring mercury and pollution will help local communities gather information, report and act on mercury pollution.
Download here: mercury-monitoring-actionguide
This is part of the output for the US Department of State (USDOS) funded project entitled “Development of National and Regional Approaches to Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury in Southeast Asia”.
A Guide to Understanding the Life Cycle Approach as Applied to Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining
The handbook aims to provide basic principles and tools for ASGM communities, Local Government Units (LGUs), Small-scale mining organizations and civil society organizations in applying the life cycle approach in ASGM communities.
Download here: life-cycle-approach
This is part of the output for the US Department of State (USDOS) funded project entitled “Development of National and Regional Approaches to Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury in Southeast Asia”.
The Situation and Roles of Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities
The study narrates the situation and roles of women in ASGM communities in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte and Ga-Ang Mines in Balbalan, Kalinga.
Download here: situation-women-asgm
Working with Women and Children in ASGM: A Training Module
This training module is designed to promote children and women’s rights in the ASGM communities who are often marginalized and victims of abuse.
Download here: women-children-asgm-module
Mainstreaming Children’s Rights in Environmental Law
The document “Mainstreaming Children’s Rights in Environmental Law” outlines specific tools and guidelines in developing policies and programs that are responsive to children’s needs in the context of environmental law.
Download here: mainstreaming-childrens-rights
Situation Assessment of Mercury-Containing Medical Measuring Devices in the Philippines
This document aims to analyze and improve the capacity of governments, industry, and the general public to manage Mercury-containing Medical Measuring Devices in an environmentally sound manner by collecting all relevant statistical data on the management of MCMMDs, analyzing existing policy framework, identifying the gaps and implementation challenges, and formulate improvements on guidelines, policy, and implementation.
Download here: situtation-assessment-of-mcmd-in-ph
This project is funded by the Government of Japan. The Government of Japan is acknowledged for providing the necessary funding that made the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF 2.0) project on Development of Capacity for the Substitution and the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Mercury-Containing Medical Measuring Devices, and of this publication possible. This project is published by AIT Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific.
Technical Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury-Containing Medical Measuring Devices in the Philippines
This document seeks to enhance the capacity of governments, industry, and the general public on the environmentally sound management of mercury-containing medical measuring devices by providing information on international guidelines and best practices, as well as the existing Philippine framework for the management of mercury wastes
Download here: technical-guidelines-for-esm-of-mcmds-in-ph
This project is funded by the Government of Japan. The Government of Japan is acknowledged for providing the necessary funding that made the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF 2.0) project on Development of Capacity for the Substitution and the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Mercury-Containing Medical Measuring Devices, and of this publication possible. This project is published by AIT Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific.
Skin Lighteners Still Online Despite Mercury Findings
Between 2017 and 2022, Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) conducted three separate investigations confirmed continued worldwide availability of illegal skin lightening products containing high mercury concentrations. In ZMWG’s latest “Skin lighteners still available online despite mercury findings ” report, they unveil that in 2022 the problem still persists.
Download here: zmwg-skin-lighteners-online
This research was conducted and authored by Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), an international coalition of public interest environmental and health non-governmental organizations, of which BAN Toxics is a part of. ZMWG partnered with BAN Toxics for regional testing.
Mercury-Free Alternatives in the Philippines: Batteries, Lamps, and Medical Measuring Devices
The study titled Mercury-free alternatives in the Philippines: batteries, lamps, and medical measuring devices is conducted as part of the project titled “Contribution towards early ratification and implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and towards phasing out of mercury-added products (MAPs) in the Philippines.” The study aims to provide a better understanding of the availability of mercury-free alternatives and products that comply with the Minamata Convention guidelines.
Download here: mercury-free-alternatives-ph
This research was financially supported by the Swedish public development cooperation aid through the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and the European Commission via the European Environmental Bureau.
INFORMAL E-WASTE RECYCLING AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD
E-Waste Diversion Pathways and the Spatial Distribution of Junk Shop Clusters in Quezon City
The study is part of BAN Toxics’ efforts to support the informal waste sector in the Philippines. The results of the study amplify the need for institutional support and long-term solutions to waste management.
Download here: E-waste Study – BAN Toxics 2023.pdf
This research was financially supported by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC).
Storybooks
Si Kit at ang Gintong Talakitok
Kit, a child from a mining community, saves a golden talakitok from getting killed. The golden talakitok grants Kit a wish in return.
Download here: Si-Kit-at-ang-Gintong-Talakitok
Naughty Marty
Naughty Marty finds himself in danger after his curiosity gets the best of him despite his parents’ strict warnings.
Download here: Naughty-Marty
Storybooks
Si Kit at ang Gintong Talakitok
Kit, a child from a mining community, saves a golden talakitok from getting killed. The golden talakitok grants Kit a wish in return.
Download here: Si-Kit-at-ang-Gintong-Talakitok
Naughty Marty
Naughty Marty finds himself in danger after his curiosity gets the best of him despite his parents’ strict warnings.
Download here: Naughty-Marty