EU MERCURY THERMOMETER BAN EUROPEAN COMMISSION
February 1st, 2006
BY MONICA DOBIE
THE EUROPEAN Commission has proposed banning the use in the European Union (EU) of mercury in thermometers and other medical devices such as blood pressure gauges, manometers and sphygmomanometers. Brussels says it is acting because mercury is so toxic to humans and wildlife. When entering the waste stream, mercury-using products change into methylmercury, its most toxic form.
The Commission estimates that 25-30 tonnes of mercury are used annually in thermometers alone.
Many thermometers and similar products end up in landfills with the potential ...
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