Local hospitals urged to phase out mercury

MANILA, Philippines - A global health advocacy group urged the Department of Health and all hospitals all over the country to “gradually phase out mercury use" in the Philippines’ medical system. “The risk of mercury to people, wildlife and the environment should push the government to fast-track and put in place a law that will eventually make the country's health care system mercury-free," an official of Health Care Without Harm said. In line with the Philippines’ celebration of Hospital Week, the group said that all hospitals “should be true to their Hippocratic Oath—to first do no harm, by gradually phasing out mercury use in the country’s health care system." Faye Ferrer, the group’s southeast Asia program coordinator for mercury, said that hospitals in the US, Europe, and members of the European Union have banned mercury thermometers and other equipments that use mercury. In the Philippines, the Philippine Heart Center is the first to switch to non-mercury alternatives. “Countries around the world have proven that switching to mercury alternatives is affordable and the alternatives give the same result minus the hazards," said Ferrer. “It is time Philippines follow suit and serve as a model in the Southeast Asian region." As early as 2007, an administrative order (AO) crafted by the HCWH-SEA in collaboration with the DOH, mandates the phase-out of mercury-containing thermometers and blood pressure devices along with other products that use mercury. The AO is still awaiting approval. At the Senate, four separate bills on mercury have been filed. These include Mercury Use in Schools Prohibition Act of 2008 (SB 2278), Mercury Thermometer Regulation Act of 2008 (SB 2259), Mercury Reduction Act (SB 893) and the Mercury Health Advisory Act (SB 678). As early as 1991, the World Health Organization reported that a safe level of mercury exposure, below which there is no adverse effects, has never been established. In a policy paper it issued, the WHO presented 3-pronged short, medium and long-term measures that include (a) development and implementation of plans to reduce the use of mercury equipment and replace it with alternatives, (b) increase efforts to reduce the risk of unnecessary mercury equipment in hospitals and (c) a ban of mercury-containing devices and promotion of alternatives. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), on the other hand, formulated a Mercury Program designed to raise awareness of the global environmental hazards of mercury after its Governing Council concluded that there is sufficient evidence of significant global adverse impacts from mercury to warrant further international action. In October this year, the 2nd UNEP Open Ended Working Group on Mercury will meet to discuss options and consensus recommendations with regards to the global challenges posed by mercury. - GMANews.TV