2025/11/08 by Huan Zhong, Mengjie Wu, Wenli Tang +4 · 1 voice
Environmental Science · #Mercury impact and mitigation studies #Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research #Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
paper · doi:10.1016/j.eehl.2025.100199
openalex created_date 2025/11/08 · openalex publication_date 2025/11/08 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Mercury pollution, in conjunction with other contaminants, hampers progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Minamata Convention on Mercury, which came into force in 2017, represents a critical step in combating this global issue. However, evaluating its effectiveness faces a major challenge, that is, establishing a clear link between reduced mercury emissions and lessened human exposure to neurotoxic methylmercury. Here, we propose that a previously overlooked methylmercury detoxification pathway in primary producers holds the potential to bridge the gaps in the emission-exposure nexus. A comprehensive understanding of this in vivo methylmercury demethylation and mercury reduction will enhance the effectiveness of global mercury mitigation efforts, accelerating our pace toward a sustainable future.