ISLAMABAD: Environmentalists on Friday called on industry to phase out the use of mercury in items such as thermometers, blood pressure machines and dental fillings.

At a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Minamata Convention, held at the Ministry of Climate Change, government officials and stakeholders, mostly from industry, discussed the ratification of the convention by Pakistan.

The Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and the release of mercury and mercury compounds, and includes a range on measures in this regard. Pakistan signed the convention on Oct 10, 2013 in Kumamoto, Japan, along with 128 other countries.

Pakistan is not among the 55 countries that have ratified the convention, under which all countries have to phase out the use of mercury in products by 2025.

Environmentalists ask industry to phase out use of mercury

Climate Change Deputy Director Chemical Dr Zaigham Abbas briefed the meeting on the convention, arguing in favour of banning mercury.

“Mercury can have significant effects on neurological, kidney, cardiovascular and reproductive systems. It has serious effects on unborn children and infants. The global transport of mercury in the environment was a key reason for taking the decision,” Dr Abbas said, adding that global action is needed to address mercury pollution in the environment.

The meeting was also informed that one of Pakistan’s significant achievements in reducing the use of mercury was the 2016 Import Policy, which required approval from the climate change ministry to import mercury and mercury products. Mr Abbas also highlighted that awareness material had been developed for dental clinics, and a public awareness initiative was launched through radio programmes.

Participants discussed the costs and benefits of ratifying the convention, such as funding for Pakistan if it ratifies the convention. The convention has stringent rules that would be binding on Pakistan, which talk about scaling down mercury in products before 2020 and phasing it out by 2025.

“It also binds countries that ratify it to phase out mercury within 10 years from existing coal plants and within five years for new plants,” Dr Abbas said.

The negative health effects of mercury — which are caused by the use of mercury in food storage and dental treatment and mercury contamination of soil and air – were also deemed dangerous.

Representatives from the information ministry were asked to help develop awareness material, possibly in the form of a documentary or public service messaging on electronic media.

Climate Change Secretary Syed Abu Ahmed Akif, who chaired the meeting, also decided to prepare an inventory of items in which mercury is used, to assess the cost of phasing it out.

He asked stakeholders to assist the ministry in assessing the advantages and disadvantages of ratifying the convention.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2017