Mercury is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans. Inhalation can affect the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well as lungs and kidneys.  Increasing industrialization and energy production have made Asia the main source region of human-made mercury emissions.

According to the UNEP’s 2013 Global Mercury Assessment, East and Southeast Asia accounted for about 40% of the total anthropogenic mercury emitted globally; South Asia accounted for an additional 8%.  Despite the magnitude and extent of Asian mercury emissions, few measurements are made and no background concentrations are measured in Southeast Asia.

Current monitoring coverage is insufficient to detect changes in atmospheric mercury by area and over time and to validate mercury models.  Consistent, long-term measurements are important for determining the magnitude of the mercury problem and assessing the effectiveness of mercury reductions.