Senior Environmental Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture and Mr. Kobeli Ts’asanyane says mercury is hazardous to both the environment and the lives of humans and livestock hence the need to discontinue its use.

Ts’asanyane made the remarks during a one-day training for stakeholders on the use of mercury and its products in Mafeteng yesterday where he said the element has been used for various purposes without noticing its negative effects.

According to researches, if consumed, the element can affect the nervous system, lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes hence considered as one of the public concern.

The Majority of traditional healers expressed their appreciation over the training saying, it has been an eye opener as some of them have been using mercury in their mixtures unbeknown to them that it was poisonous.