Phasing-out Mercury Based Equipment
Mercury is amongst the most toxic naturally occurring elements, recognised globally as a major environmental contaminant and neurotoxin. Even in trace quantities, it causes serious harm to the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, eyes, and liver, with particularly severe consequences for pregnant women, newborns, and children, including developmental abnormalities and damage to Central Nervous System. The healthcare sector has historically been a significant source of mercury exposure to healthcare workers through its wide use in the making of Clinical thermometers, Sphygmomanometers, Oesophageal dilators, and Dental amalgams. Breakage, leakage, or improper disposal of these devices can release Mercury vapour into healthcare settings, endangering patients, healthcare workers, and the broader environment.
Recognizing these hazards, India ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2018 and is mandated to phase out Mercury-containing thermometers and blood pressure measuring devices by 2025.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) along with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is providing technical support to Tamil Nadu in the phasing out of Mercury-based equipment in the Health Sector. In alignment with this National commitment, Tamil Nadu discontinued the procurement of Mercury-based measuring devices through TNMSC from 2017 onwards. Mercury waste generated from healthcare facilities across the State is currently managed through 11 Common Treatment Facilities (CTFs), where collected mercury waste is securely stored and processed further in a safe manner.
A pilot project funded by UNDP for the collection, disposal and storage of mercury waste was initiated at the Singaperumal Koil CTF site in Tamil Nadu and a dedicated Mercury Storage Depot has been created for storing all the disposed Mercury devices. The site was also visited by the GoI team on 9th April 2026 as an explorative & learning experience. Several coordination meetings are also being held with MoHFW and other stakeholders to review progress and plan the implementation of the initiative across the State.
The standards established under the pilot project will be strengthened further with technical guidance to take it further across to other CTFs to ensure effective collection, disposal and storage of mercury waste.
A statewide gap analysis has identified approximately 10,000 mercury-based Sphygmomanometers and 1,500 mercury-based Thermometers through past procurement which are due for systematic phase-out. Going forward, the State has gone for replacement with mercury-free digital alternatives thereby safeguarding patients and healthcare workers from the toxic effects of mercury. As part of the mercury phase out initiative, districts will be instructed to ensure that all Government healthcare facilities become mercury-free in order to become eligible for certification as Mercury-free.
