The United States joined other nations on Wednesday in signing a treaty to reduce mercury emissions.
State Department official Kerri-Ann Jones signed the Minamata Convention on mercury to curb exposure to the toxic chemical, which causes severe damage to the brain and nervous system.
{mosads}Jones, the assistant secretary of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, planned to sign the document during the Minamata Convention conference in October, but the government shutdown postponed U.S. involvement.