EC wants to ban mercury in fever thermometers

The European Commission today proposed a ban on mercury in fever thermometers due to its high toxicity.

The move follows the Commission’s pledge last year to try to curb the use of mercury.

The programme must be approved by the European Parliament and EU governments before it becomes binding on EU members.

Some 33 tonnes of mercury are used in control devices every year, including 25 to 30 tonnes for thermometers, the Commission said.

Before proposing the ban on mercury in thermometers, the Commission consulted with companies and consumer groups, said spokesman Gregor Kreuzhuber.

He said a ban on mercury would not make thermometers more expensive.

“This is good for our citizen’s health and the environment”, said Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen.

“At the same time we create a more coherent and stable legal framework for industry which will be encouraged to develop suitable alternatives.”