Mercury is toxic to human health, posing a particular threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life. Human exposure occurs mainly through inhalation of elemental mercury vapours. One of the interventions to prevent environmental releases and human exposure includes switching to non-mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers in healthcare.

The World Health Assembly Resolution 67.11 (2014) on the Public health impacts of exposure to mercury and mercury compounds: the role of WHO and ministries of public health in the implementation of the Minamata Convention requests the Director-General to facilitate WHO’s efforts to provide advice and technical support to Member States to support the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in all health aspects related to mercury.

WHO advocates for a phase out of mercury measuring devices from healthcare in line with Minamata Convention targets to reduce the potential for mercury exposure to patients, staff and environment and to improve healthcare waste management. Access to safe and effective non-mercury containing alternative medical devices must be affordable, accessible and appropriate for users.