Environmental Project, 1102 – Alternatives to mercury-containing measuring devices

Alternatives to mercury-containing measuring devices

1 Introduction

1.1 Development of mercury consumption for measuring and control devices in Denmark
1.2 Methodology

The present study presents information on alternatives to mercury-containing non-fever thermometers, barometers, manometers and blood pressure measuring devices marketed for professional use in Denmark. The four groups of devices are selected because mercury until recently has been used or is still used in Denmark for some types of these devices. Besides the concerned applications, mercury may to a minor extent be used for other non-electrical or non-electronic measuring and control devices. Those devises are briefly described in Chapter 6.

1.1 Development of mercury consumption for measuring and control devices in Denmark

The development in the consumption of mercury for measuring devices during the period 1982/83 to 2000/01 is shown in table 1.1. During this period the total consumption of mercury for these application areas decreased nearly 100 times. The figures present the total mercury content of measuring devices sold in the years given in the table as well as mercury sold for maintenance of existing devices (relevant to "other measuring and control devices").

It is notable that the total consumption of non-fever thermometers in both 1982/83 and 1992/93 was about twice the consumption of fever thermometers. Similar results have been reported from the UK using figures from around 2000 (Floyd et al. 2002).

Table 1.1 Mercury consumption in relation to measuring devices in Denmark (Skårup et al. 2004)

Application area	Mercury consumption (kg Hg/year)
	1982/83	1992/93	2000/01
Fever thermometers	750	50	1.1
Other thermometers	1,300 - 1,800	100	15 - 20
Other measuring and control devices including manometers, barometers, blood measuring devices and mercury for maintenance of existing devices	430 - 630	500	10 - 50
Total	2,480 - 3,180	650	26.1 - 71,1

1.2 Methodology

Thermometers, barometers and manometers
The marketing of mercury-containing thermometers (apart from fever thermometers and thermometers used in laboratories) manometers and barometers is banned in Denmark today. In order to describe the alternatives, which have substituted the formerly used mercury-containing devices, suppliers of relevant equipment have been contacted. Furthermore, research institutions using the most advanced devices for calibration of other devices, have been contacted in order to obtain independent statements on the advantages and drawbacks of alternatives.

Blood pressure measuring devices
Mercury-containing blood pressure devices are to some extent used in the medical sector in Denmark today. Alternatives to the mercury-containing devices have recently been described in a Swedish study, which also describes the Swedish experience in replacing the mercury-containing devices (Kemi & Miljø Konsulenterne AB 2005). The major discussion concerning the use of alternatives in Denmark relates to the reliability and stability of the equipment in the actual use situation, in particular by the general medical practitioners. In order to supplement the information in the Swedish study with Danish experience, Danish suppliers of blood measuring devices have been contacted in order to investigate to what extent and by whom mercury-containing blood-pressure devices are purchased today. Furthermore, information on marketed alternatives to mercury-containing blood pressure measuring devices has been collected.

Examples of marketed equipment
In order to illustrate some alternatives to mercury-containing devices, some examples of devices marketed in Denmark are shown in this report. For each example a supplier, from which the information is obtained, is indicated. The equipment may quite likely also be supplied by other companies in Denmark.