World Meteorological Organization Intergovernmental OceanographicCommission of UNESCO

Ship Observations Team ~ integrating and coordinating international ship-based observing programmes for JCOMM ~

SOT-IV16-21 April 2007, Geneva, Switzerland

Sarah North

EU restrictions on use and transportation of Mercury

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EU restrictions on use and transportation of Mercury

Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, animals and ecosystems.

Even in relatively low doses it can seriously affect the nervous system and can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. It is also linked with possible harmful effects to the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems.

Mercury is persistent and can change in the

environment into methylmercury which is its most toxic form

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The proposed legislation aims to… ban all European Union exports of mercury from 2011 ban the marketing of mercury in new fever and room thermometers,

barometers, blood pressure gauges and manometers and sphygmomanometers

reduce global exposure to mercury, reduce global mercury supply reduce emissions of mercury into the environment.. promote global action, including the possible development of a

legally binding international agreement, to reduce human and environmental exposure.

reduce the industrial demand for mercury speed up mercury substitution. ensure the health of EU citizens and the environment. establish uniform rules for marketing of measuring devices

containing mercury on the internal market,

EU restrictions on use and transportation of Mercury

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EU restrictions on use and transportation of Mercury

Examination WMO Publication 47 suggests that over 3200 VOS may be equipped with mercury thermometers.

In the coming years, the proposed restrictions on mercury are therefore likely present a growing problem for operators of manually reporting VOS.

Alternatives, such as whirling psychrometers with alcohol spirit thermometers may have to be used instead.

However alcohol thermometers tend to be less accurate than mercury having have larger expansion coefficients, and being subject to other effects such as adhesion to glass, and slow changes in liquid volume due to impurities or dyes.

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EU restrictions on use and transportation of Mercury

- What are the alternatives ?? - How do the costs compare ??

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EU restrictions on use and transportation of Mercury

In addition to the proposed restrictions VOS operators need to consider the following Health and Safety aspects…

Provision of foam pad mercury collectors to VOS equipped with mercury thermometers

Provision of More sophisticated spillage kits, together with flowers of sulphur, for dealing with potential mercury spillages in the Port Meteorological Offices, where larger numbers of mercury thermometers are likely to be stored

Safe Disposal of old or broken thermometers collected from VOS - costs for disposal of toxic residues that are hazardous to health can be considerable.

Downstream risks in less developed countries where ships often end up going for scrap

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Advise the extent of Mercury restrictions in their own countries

Consider the need for recommendations to VOS operators aimed at phasing out the future supply of mercury thermometers

Consider the need to make recommendations concerning the provision of mercury spillage kits on ships where mercury remains in use.

SOT members are invited to …