About: mercury

Mercury in the water: 40% of Europe’s lakes and rivers contaminated

40% of the EU’s surface water bodies are contaminated with levels of mercury, endangering birds and marine mammals. An article by our partner, the Journal de l’Environnement.

Mercury poisoning widespread as even UN delegates test positive

A new study has revealed that mercury pollution is more widespread across the world than previously thought, even among high-level ministers and delegates, as a new UN treaty struggles to get to grips with what experts call "an immediate threat to everyone".

Mercury trade on the up despite new UN treaty

Mercury mining has skyrocketed in the last five years, according to a new UN report, despite efforts to reduce supply.

Mercury’s time is up as international treaty comes into force

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, an international treaty that bans the manufacture and trade in mercury products after 2020, entered into force on 16 August, four years after it was first signed. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

EU hails global deal on cutting mercury emissions

The European Commission has hailed a UN agreement that will establish the first global treaty to cut mercury pollution. Specific household items will be blacklisted and new controls on power plants and small-scale mines will be introduced, the United Nations said on Saturday (19 January).

US shift spurs on global mercury pollution deal

Thanks to a dramatic shift in the position of the United States, environmental ministers from over 140 countries agreed to begin negotiating a treaty to control global mercury pollution last week at a meeting of the UN Governing Council in Nairobi, Kenya.

Europe hopes world will follow mercury ban

EU Ministers in the Competitiveness Council yesterday (25 September) adopted a regulation banning all exports of mercury from the EU in 2011, wrapping up a key part of a European strategy to limit emissions of the toxic heavy metal into the environment.

Agreement reached on EU mercury export ban

In a move broadly acclaimed by health and environmental groups, the European Parliament voted yesterday to back a compromise deal to ban all mercury exports from the EU in 2011 and improve the safety of surplus storage.

EU set to clash over proposed mercury ban

The European Parliament's environment committee voted on Wednesday (26 March) to ban all imports and exports of mercury in the EU by 2010, reinstating earlier demands which had already been rejected by member states in June last year.

Parliament backs ban on mercury devices

The European Parliament has endorsed a proposed ban on the sale of mercury-containing devices for domestic use, such as thermometers, by 2010. Antique instruments and mercury-containing blood pressure devices used by medical professionals will be exempt.

Council opposes Parliament on water and mercury

Remaining largely faithful to the Commission's original proposals, on 28 June 2007 EU environment ministers reached political agreement on substances in EU surface waters and on the issue of mercury storage and export restrictions, putting them on a collision course with Parliament, which had called for stricter EU standards.

Parliament votes to ban EU mercury trade

By a large majority of MEPs - 673 votes in favour - the European Parliament has voted to ban EU exports and imports of mercury, starting in 2010.

Parliament clears way for EU mercury ban

Parliament's Environment Committee, on 5 June, voted to reject a permament exemption for mercury-containing barometers and other measuring devices from a wider ban on the substance in the EU. The vote signals the likely approval of the text by the EP plenary and the Council.

EU seeks global mercury ban

Health and environmental NGOs are calling on the EU to show leadership to control environmental mercury pollution.

Parliament heats up over mercury ban

The European Parliament has backed a draft directive banning mercury in thermometers and other measuring devices. But a derogation for barometers won by the British Conservatives has infuriated environmental NGOs.

Commission proposes to ban mercury exports by 2011

Environmental and health NGOs have welcomed a Commission proposal to ban EU exports of mercury but were disappointed that the ban would not include mercury compounds.

MEPs want mercury ban to cover healthcare devices

Parliament's committee wants to extend ban on mercury-containing devices, such as thermometers, to cover professional healthcare devices such as blood-pressure meters.

Parliament backs mercury ban

The European Parliament has backed a Commission strategy to control mercury pollution, calling for a ban on all exports by 2010.

EU seeks to ban mercury in home thermometers

The European Commission has proposed to ban mercury in household thermometers in order to stop the toxic compound ending up in landfills and posing a threat to humans, wildlife and ecosystems.

EU ministers vote for ban on mercury exports

Mercury exports will be phased out by 2011 at the latest, leading eventually to a definitive ban, EU environment ministers have agreed on 24 June.

Commission presents mercury strategy

The EU intends to address global mercury pollution by setting the example through a comprehensive strategy against mercury pollution. European exports of mercury will be phased out by 2011.

MEP ban on hazardous batteries rejected by Commission

The Parliament's vote in favour of banning nickel-cadmium batteries was immediately followed by a Commission statement rejecting the MEPs' disputed amendments.