I worked in a mercury-free cancer care hospital where all devices, such as blood pressure measuring apparatus and thermometers, were digital. Even in dentistry, dental amalgam fillings are no longer commonly used.
I often wondered why this change had taken place.
Later, I started reading about it.
I discovered that it was because of the Minamata Convention, an international treaty that mandates minimizing or eliminating the use of mercury. India has also signed this convention.
Why is it called the Minamata Convention?
The name comes from the Minamata disaster in Japan, which was caused by the release of methylmercury in industrial wastewater from a chemical factory owned by the Chisso Corporation. The contamination continued from 1932 to 1968 and led to severe neurological disease and environmental damage.
The Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from human-generated mercury emissions.
World HealthOrganization (WHO) also works to implement this convention.
Why is a mercury-free environment important?
Broken mercury thermometers, sphygmomanometers, and poor biomedical waste management are major sources of mercury release into the environment.
Exposure to mercury can seriously affect the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well as the lungs and kidneys. Children are particularly vulnerable.
Neurological effects may include intellectual disability, seizures, vision and hearing loss, delayed development, language disorders, and memory impairment.
The shift towards mercury-free hospitals is not just a technological upgrade—it is a major step towards safer healthcare and a healthier environment for future generations.
What is your opinion on this shift?
MBH/PS