Resources

Gathered in Manila, Philippines on the occasion of the Asia Regional Conference on Mercury-Free Health Care, more than 100 representatives of ministries of health and environment, health professional organizations, hospitals, and other health sector organizations from ten Asian countries came together to address policy and technical issues regarding the substitution of mercury based medical dev

Norwegian experiences on phasing out the use of dental amalgam.

Mercury is toxic heavy metal. It has many characteristic features. Health care organizations have used mercury in many forms since time immemorial. The main uses of mercury are in dental amalgam, sphygmomanometers, and thermometers. The mercury once released into the environment can remain for a longer period. Both acute and chronic poisoning can be caused by it.

The annual meeting of the Mercury-Containing Products Partnership Area (Products Partnership) opened on 28 April 2010, at the Pepperdine University-Seaver College in Washington, D.C. The meeting was hosted by the Partnership lead, Dr. Maria Doa of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA). 

Report of the meeting convened at WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland on 16-17 November 2009

The annual meeting of the Mercury-Containing Products Partnership Area was held via teleconference on 24 September 2009. The teleconference was hosted by the Partnership lead, Dr. Maria Doa of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA), from EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Brazil - Status update of mercury devices substitution in the Health Sector in Sao Paulo, February 2009 

With the goal of constructing and maintaining an overarching and integrated community-wide framework to properly manage mercury and adequately control its adverse environmental impacts, the community strategy describes a range of actions for reducing emissions, reducing supply and demand, and addressing surpluses and reservoirs of mercury. 

Administrative Order for the gradual phase-out of mercury in all Philippine health care facilities and institutions.

Report on the progress at replacing mercury equipment in the health sector in Sao Paulo, 2008

The general objective of this project is to identify and manage mercury emissions in Chile in order to protect human health and the environment.

To fulfill this general objective, the project foresees the implementation of the following activities, among others:

• Identifying the main sources of mercury emission and release in Chile.

At present, there are many types of thermometers and sphygmomanometers in Chinese market. In accordance with principles of production, mercury-free thermometers can be roughly divided into three types which are new type thermometer (digital, electronic thermometer), infrared thermometer and strip thermometer. There are two kinds of mercury-free sphygmomanometer.

The workshop was in response to the call of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Governing Council (GC) 24th session, for increased efforts to address the global challenges to reduce risks from releases of mercury by reducing the global mercury demand related to use in products and production processes. The workshop was conducted by UNEP Chemicals in coordination with the Thailand Mini

Here we present an input to global considerations on mercury management by presenting a mercury substitution priority working list; or: An identification of the least essential mercury uses. 

A preliminary inventory of pollutants entering into the local environment from the label on exhausted portable batteries collected from the uncontrolled dumping in Yaounde, Cameroon: a potential source of zinc recycling

This is a report within the framework of an Initiative undertaken by CREPD to Assess, Collect and Recycle exhausted batteries in the main cities of Cameroon

The work presented in the report reflects some of the activities and results of the work Brazil has been carrying out in the health sector, with regards to the use of devices using mercury. 

North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC-Americas) Workshop to Reduce Mercury Use in Products took place on 21-23 February 2006 in Merida, Mexico. 

Sweden - Swedish experience using mercury-free blood pressure measurement equipment.

This document provides an overview of problems associated with the use of mercury-containing products in health care, including associated environmental health and occupational health issues. It also outlines a strategy for WHO and health care engagement on this issue.

Revised Discussion Paper Following the Informal Consultation on the “Global Partnership for Mercury Reduction in Products,” held on May 25, 2005 Portland, Maine, United States June 23, 2005

ABSTRACT

Background Hydroquinone has been used for decades as a skin lightening agent. As a result of concerns about mid-term effects like leukomelanoderma en confetti and exogenous ochronosis, its use in cosmetics has been banned since January 2001.

Field Testing Observations of Six Models and Practical Considerations in Choosing an Amalgam Separator

Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents (CICADs) are the latest in a family of publications from the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) — a cooperative programme of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a report on January 1, 2003 that includes a comprehensive strategy to reduce the mercury content of products.