Stable mercury isotopes as a decision-support tool for public health

Widespread mercury exposure remains a critical global health challenge, particularly in regions affected by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Conventional biomonitoring documents “body burden,” it often fails to pinpoint specific environmental sources, hindering targeted public health interventions. This viewpoint article proposes reframing mercury stable isotope analysis as a decision-support tool within existing public health workflows. Using Suriname as an illustrative case, we demonstrate how isotopic “fingerprints” resolve complex exposure pathways that concentration data alone cannot. We provide a systematic three-step framework, from routine detection to source attribution and targeted intervention, enabling practitioners to design evidence-based, equitable strategies that align with international monitoring priorities under the Minamata Convention.