As global demand for rare earth elements accelerates amid the renewable energy transition, Myanmar’s extraction operations are proceeding without adequate environmental health oversight, according to a commentary in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia. The 17 critical metals essential for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and medical imaging equipment are increasingly sourced from conflict-affected regions where regulatory gaps have created dangerous blind spots.
Local populations face potential exposure to severe contamination from acid processing and chemical runoff used in rare earth extraction. Without proper monitoring systems in place, soil and water contamination risks remain largely invisible to public health authorities. The surge in global demand—particularly for high-performance magnets—has intensified extraction activities in Myanmar, where ongoing conflict has further compromised environmental health oversight and community protection mechanisms.
International health and environmental agencies are calling for urgent action to establish monitoring frameworks and safeguards.
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