Mercury reduction

Mercury reduction imposed by the German Federal Council (upper house of the German parliament)

Printed matter 149/94 (resolution) 04/09/1994

Resolution of the Federal Council on the prevention of the use of mercury

The Federal Council at its 668^th meeting on April 29,1994, adopted the following resolution:

The Federal Council requests the German Federal Government to work towards further reducing the use of mercury in industrial and medical applications in the EU as well as on national level. In areas in which mercury is being absorbed by humans as a consequence of its use - it should be reduced to the minimum.

The Federal Council calls on the Federal Government to review limit values for mercury in administrative and legal formalities which are aimed for the protection of humankind and the environment.

Statement of reasons:

Mercury and almost all of its compounds are hazardous to humans and the environment - after absorption leading to chronic kidney diseases and irreversible nerve damages in humans. Moreover, mercury compounds are highly toxic to organisms in particular to aquatic organisms, and, are, therefore, assigned to water hazard classification 3.

Therefore, in numerous fields of application the use of mercury and its compounds has been declining or has already been banned.

It is prohibited to use mercury compounds for ships´paint, in seed dressing, for wood preservation, for the impregnation of industrial textiles, as well as for water treatment. The eco-label has already been in use for mercury-free batteries since 1987.

In other areas, such as dentistry, however, large amounts of mercury are still being administered in form of amalgam fillings as basic and regular care. Because of this practice, mercury enters the human organism as well as the environment. Amounts of about 1kg amalgam per year and dentist´s office add up to about 20 tons of amalgam adequate to 10 tons of mercury and year in the Federal Republic of Germany.

About half of the mercury burden of the general population is being caused by amalgam fillings.

Bans or limitations of the use of gamma-2-containing amalgams in certain demographic and risk groups (infants, patients with certain kidney disorders) have been inadequate measures.

The Federal Council holds the belief that because of preventive health and environment protection the use of mercury must be further reduced and suitable, mercury-free alternatives or methods must be developed.

Note 2011: Dental amalgam has not been banned in the Federal Republic of Germany.