Plea to ban mercury equipments: NGT notice to Health Min, MoEF

A demand to ban mercury-based equipments in hospitals to prevent spillage of the metal which causes major diseases, has been made by a lawyer before the National Green Tribunal, prompting it to seek the government's response on the issue.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment & Forests and others while seeking their replies within two weeks on the issue.
"Notice be issued to the respondents. Let the reply be filed within two weeks," the bench said while hearing a plea by lawyer Suryajyoti Singh Paul, who has approached the panel against failure in management of bio-medical waste containing mercury in various parts of the country.

Highlighting the adverse impact of mercury, Paul has referred to the Kodaikanal mercury poisoning case where Hindustan Unilever was accused of contaminating a lake in the process of making thermometers, which subsequently led to the closure of the factory in 2001.
The matter is listed for next hearing on March 17.
"Central Pollution Control Board has laid out guidelines regarding precautions to be taken to avoid mercury spillage and the final disposal options for mercury-bearing waste generated from healthcare facilities. However, till today the hospital administrations have not prepared any strategy required for managing mercury-bearing waste in hospitals," the plea alleged.

Mercury is used for industrial purposes like making thermometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers and fluorescent lamps, and continuous exposure to the metal may damage or impair brain, kidneys and liver.
"Direct the respondents to take appropriate and immediate steps to restrain the dumping of hazardous waste like mercury originating from the healthcare institutes and hospitals across the country for restoration of environment and life of public at large," the plea said.