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Guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on developing national strategies for phasing out mercury containing products used in the health industry.
Exposure to elemental mercury in health care settings from spills or broken equipment, such as mercury-containing fever thermometers and sphygmomanometers (blood pressure devices), is a serious health problem for employees, patients and visitors as well as those tasked with repairing and cleaning up such broken equipment. It is also a problem that is entirely preventable through the careful choice and use of mercury-free alternatives.
Many hospitals and health facilities, including those participating in WHO and Health Care Without Harm collaborative efforts to promote mercury-free health care, have already successfully switched to mercury-free thermometers and sphygmomanometers. A number of governments representing low-, middle- and high-income countries have also instituted policies for phasing out such devices in favour of accurate and affordable alternatives.
The role of ministries of public health and WHO in supporting the implementation of the Convention, including actions to be taken within the health sector, was further affirmed by the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly in resolution WHA67.11.1 The Convention sets a phaseout date of 2020 for the manufacture, import and export of mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers. This guidance provides advice to health ministries on the leading role they will need to take in this regard.
