Mercury
Mercury is familiar to most people as the silver-coloured liquid which expands and contracts in a thermometer to show the temperature. Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at ambient temperature. It is a chemical element and therefore indestructible. This means that there is a "global pool" of mercury circulating in society and the environment - between air, water, sediments, soil and living organisms.
Mercury and most of its compounds are highly toxic to humans, animals and ecosystems. High doses can be fatal to humans, but even relatively low doses can seriously affect the nervous system and have been linked with possible harmful effects on the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems. In the presence of bacteria, mercury can change into methylmercury, its most toxic form. Methylmercury readily passes through both the placenta and the blood-brain barrier, so exposure of women of child-bearing age and of children, is of greatest concern.
EU strategy
The European Union has made considerable progress in addressing the global challenges of mercury since it launched the EU mercury strategy in 2005. This has resulted in restrictions on the sale of measuring devices containing mercury, a ban on exports of mercury from the EU that will come into force in 2011 and new rules on safe storage. The EU’s mercury strategy is a comprehensive plan addressing mercury pollution both in the EU and globally. It contains 20 measures to reduce mercury emissions, cut supply and demand and protect against exposure, especially to methylmercury found in fish.
Global issue
Mercury is a global pollutant which can cross international borders and is therefore a matter of international concern. Some of the highest human exposure is seen in native Arctic communities, due to the accumulation of mercury in fish, which makes up a significant part of traditional diets. Discussions are taking place under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on what to do about the global mercury problem. A specific mercury programme was established in 2003 to encourage all countries to adopt goals and take action, as appropriate, in order to identify vulnerable populations, minimise exposure through outreach efforts, and reduce human-generated mercury releases.
The UNEP Governing Council in February 2007 recognised that current efforts to reduce risks from mercury were not sufficient and established an ad-hoc Open Ended Working Group with a mandate to review and assess options for enhanced measures. Following two meetings – in Bangkok in 2007 and in Nairobi in 2008 – this group will report to the 25th session of the Governing Council in February 2009, with a view to deciding further steps.
Useful Documents
EU mercury strategy
EU mercury export ban
| Member State authorities and companies concerned should report to the Commission the information foreseen in Articles 5 and 6 of this Regulation preferably electronically by using the following email address ENV-MERCURY@ec.europa.eu, or by post to: European Commission, DG.ENV.G.1/Mercury Export Ban, B-1049 Bruxelles, BELGIUM. |
Restrictions on products containing mercury
Directive 2007/51/EC relating to restrictions on the marketing of certain measuring devices containing mercury
GLOBAL MERCURY CHALLENGES - Council conclusions – Dec 2008
Useful links
Further information
September 2008 report: "Options for reducing mercury use in products and applications and the fate of mercury already circulating in society" addressing Action 10 of the Mercury Strategy (executive summary pdf~ 243KB or full report pdf~5MB)
Independent expert group paper on Ambient air pollution by mercury, produced in relation to EU air quality legislation
A background report on Mercury flows and safe storage of surplus mercury (pdf~1,2Mb) prepared for DG Environment by Concorde East/West Sprl (August 2006).
A background report on Mercury flows in Europe and the world: The impact of decommissioned chlor-alkali plants (pdf~980K), prepared for DG Environment by Concorde East/West Sprl (February 2004). |
