Nepal is a country well known for the ancient art of metallurgy handicrafts while electroplating valuable metals like gold, silver, and brass has given these crafts a more appealing look and higher value in the market. Despite the artistic appeal and cultural value of metallurgy and electroplating, harms unknown or unaware to the general craftsmen lurk from the steam of the heated metals and the smell of the decorated handicrafts.
The researchers from the Australian Global Alumni, The Small Earth Nepal, and Tribhuvan University have conducted research with funding support from Nepal Climate Change Action Grant 2022. The study has shown the whats, hows, and whys of the harms unknown to the craftsmen and the general public. Air pollution monitoring was done at the workshops of gold and silver jewelry and metal statue making. The result sharing and awareness program with the collaboration and participation of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Deputy Mayor, Lalitpur Ward Officials, Tribhuvan University, The Small Earth Nepal, Lalitpur Gold & Silver Dealers Association, and Lalitpur Handicrafts Association was held on 29 May 2022 at Mahapal, Lalitpur and again on 5 June at Patandhoka. This program was an opportunity for greater public and policy engagement to address issues on the importance of the environmentally friendly metallurgical industry.
The program brought limelight to the craftsmen, association members, government, and entrepreneurs about the risk from the use of mercury in metallurgy and proposed research on efficient mercury capture measures which will keep the production rate the same as before but can drastically reduce the health risks.
