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News & Press Releases




February 09
Argentina - Argentine Ministry of Health Issued Resolution Ending Purchase of Mercury Medical Devices - The measure instructs all hospitals and health care centers in the country to buy mercury-free thermometers and blood pressure devices and also convenes a working group of dentistry, medical technology and environmental health specialists to begin a process to gradually phase-out other uses of mercury Argentina.
 

December 08

International - World Governments Support Breakthrough Agreement on Mercury - More than 140 countries agreed to launch negotiations establishing a treaty on mercury to limit pollution affecting millions of people across the world.

 

December 08
India - The First South Asian Conference for the Elimination of Mercury in Health Care took place in New Delhi, India on December 5-6 - Organized by the Indian-based Toxics Link and Health CareWithout Harm, in Association with WHO and UNEP, the event was attended by health care leaders from throughout South Asia
 

December 08
India - Business Roundtable Discussion Organized by Health Care Without Harm Toxics Link and the World Health Organization. Participants include India’s leading trade associations and medical device producers along with mutilateral and bilateral aid agencies.
 

November 08

Uruguay - Uruguay's Public Health Care Moves Toward Mercury-free Alternatives - The Minister of Health annouced the elimination of mercury-containing thermometers from all public health care system due to this metal's harmful effects on people and the environment.

 

November 08

Global - Global Initiative Launched - Health Care Without Harm and the World Health Organization today launched a global initiative to substitute mercury-based medical devices with safer, accurate and affordable alternatives. The announcement came during the opening of the South Asian Conference on Alternatives to Mercury in Health Care, an event sponsored by the two organizations and the Indian NGO Toxics Link.

 

October 08
South Korea - The World Medical Association unanimously passed a resolution calling for the phase-out of mercury use in the health care sector. Delegates said hospitals and medical facilities should switch to non-mercury equivalents
 

October 08
United States - The US will eventually stop all exports of elemental mercury under legislation sponsored by Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, and signed into law by President Bush
 

October 08

Philippines - Muntinlupa City has banned the use of mercury thermometers and other mercury-containing medical implements in all city-run hospitals and clinics, citing the toxicity of the heavy metal substance.

 

October 08

United States - A bill to ban mercury exports from the United States, sponsored by Barack Obama and Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine), passed Congress and awaits President Bush's signature to become law.

 

August 08

Philippines - A new government order developed with HCWH's support, mandates phasing-out mercury-based medical devices in two years. The Phillipines is the first developing country to take such a step.

 

July 08

Argentina - Buenos Aires hospitals no longer buy mercury-based thermometers. The initiative was promoted by HCWH Latin America, and it is aimed at the complete phase out of mercury from the public health care system.

 

July 08

Mexico - HCWH held a successful national conference on substituting mercury in the health care sector in Mexico. The event was attended by more than 250 people from 68 health care institutions in Mexico.