Shifting to Mercury-Free Pressure Gauges “Reducing Mercury Use and Release in Products” Workshop organised and sponsored by: UNEP Chemicals Branch - Division of Trade, Industry, and Economics Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Kingdom of Thailand United States Environmental Protection Agency Peter Maxson Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels Bangkok, May 2007 – Siam City Hotel

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 2 Major global mercury uses – 2005 Global mercury demand (2005)Metric tonnes Small-scale/artisanal gold mining 650-1,000 Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) production Chlor-alkali production Batteries Dental use Measuring and control devices Lighting Electrical and electronic devices Other (paints, laboratory, pharmaceutical, cultural/traditional uses, etc.) Total 3,000-3,900 Note: In each of these sectors some mercury recycling takes place, involving the recovery of mercury from products or wastes. Therefore, “net” demand for mercury in any of these sectors may be significantly lower than “gross” demand.

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 3 Pressure gauges - typical applications Measuring –gas meter pressure, –airflow measurements, –carburetor adjustment, –automatic dairy milking systems, –steam flow meter –atmospheric pressure –blood pressure –etc.

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 4 Main types of pressure gauges Manometer – measures pressure of liquids and gases Barometer – measures atmospheric pressure Sphygmomanometer – type of manometer – measures blood pressure in the arteries

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 5 Main problems Substantial global reservoir of mercury ( t?) Need maintenance periodically (sphyg manufacturers recommend every 6 months) Others need periodic replenishment Requires mercury inventory on site Possible air emissions Possible spills and breakage Eventual disposal – large chance of improper disposal

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 6 Two primary designs Continuous monitoring of pressure differential, such as “U-tube” Mercury as a “heavy liquid,” often known as a “mercury column manometer”

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 7 U-tube manometer

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 8 Mercury column manometers Sphygmomanometer Simple barometer

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 9Sphygmomanometer A sphygmomanometer (often condensed to “sphyg- mometer”) is a device used to measure blood pres- sure, comprising an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. It is always used in conjunc- tion with a means to determine at what pressure blood flow is just starting, and at what pressure it is unimpeded. Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction with a stethoscope.

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 10 Mercury-free manometers Mercury column-type alternatives: Flexible membrane Piezoelectric crystals Fibre-optic pressure sensors Pressure differential alternatives: Substitute liquid or gas

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 11 Mercury-free manometer Membrane-type manometer

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 12 Mercury-free sphygmomanometers

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 13 Mercury-free barometers Aneroid barometer

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 14 Mercury reduction programmes that include pressure gauges Ban buying and selling Offer subsidies for replacement devices Many medical institutions (other speakers) Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Japan(?) and some states in the US Cost of alternatives is generally comparable In cases where alternatives are more expen- sive, performance is often better as well

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 15 More information - 1 UNEP (2002). Global Mercury Assessment, UNEP, December COWI (2002). ACAP and Danish EPA, Reduction of Atmospheric mercury emissions from Arctic countries – questionnaire on emissions and related topics. November Maag, J., Lassen, C. and Hansen, E. (1996): Massestrømsanalyse for kviksølv (substance flow assessment for mercury). Miljøproject no. 344, 1996, Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Copenhagen (in Danish with summary in English). Available at publikationer Markmann P. N., Jensen, P. and Abildgård, J. (2001): Old heating plants still cause mercury pollution. NyViden from the Danish EPA. Available at: LCSP (2003). An Investigation of Alternatives to Mercury Containing Products, Lowell Centre for Sustainable Production, 22 January 2003, available at images.informe.org/dep/mercury/lcspfinal.pdfhttp://mainegov- images.informe.org/dep/mercury/lcspfinal.pdf NWF (2002). Mercury Products Guide, T Kuiken and F Stadler, National Wildlife Federation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 2002.

P. Maxson - Concorde East/West Sprl - Brussels May 2007 Slide 16 More information - 2 Nordic Council (2002). Nordic Council of Ministers, “Mercury – a global pollutant requiring global initiatives”, Copenhagen UNEP (2002). Global Mercury Assessment, UNEP, December INFORM. and Maine DEP. See a detailed comparison of mercury and non-mercury measuring devices and instruments carried out for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection at and the proposed strategy based on that report at Following the submission of this strategy, the Maine Legislature enacted a prohibition on the sale of most mercury measuring devices and instruments effective July Appendix B to the report contains some examples of substantial cleanup expenditures resulting from measuring instrument breakage Healthcare initiatives. See and for detailed information regarding non-mercury alternatives in the health-care setting European Parliament (2005) DOC+XML+V0//EN&LEVEL=3&NAV=X