A landmark United Nations (UN) treaty to curb the use of mercury has opened for signature in Japan. This marks an important step towards the global phase-out of the hazardous heavy metal in many products and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted.
Governments have agreed on a range of mercury containing products whose production, export and import will be banned by 2020 under this new treaty. These include batteries, except for 'button cell' batteries used in implantable medical devices, switches and relays, certain types of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), mercury in cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps and soaps and cosmetics.
The treaty will also target mercury emissions and releases from various large industrial facilities ranging from coal-fired power stations and industrial boilers to certain kinds of smelters handling for example zinc and gold.
The newest United Nations treaty, named the Minamata Convention, is both wide-ranging and legally binding. It provides controls and reductions in areas ranging from medical equipment such as thermometers to energy-saving light bulbs to the mining, cement and coal-fired power sectors. Pinpointing populations at risk, boosting medical care and better training of health care professionals in identifying and treating mercury-related effects will also form part of the new agreement.
Initial funding to fast track action until the new treaty comes into force in the expected three to five years' time has been pledged by Japan, Norway and Switzerland.
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