WHO Releases Technical Guidance on Substituting Mercury Thermometers and Sphygmomanometers

Global — WHO has issued a Technical Guidance Document for the safe substitution of non-mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers in health-care settings.

It identifies available resources that support the equivalent accuracy and comparable clinical utility of the substituted products, while protecting health-care workers and the environment.

It is designed to support professionals responsible for institutions or ministries desiring to switch to safer non-polluting technologies in health care.

This Guidance, currently available only in English, is designed to meet Short Term Objective #1 of the WHO-HCWH Mercury-Free Health Care Initiative "Identify and/or establish international standards for mercury-free alternative medical devices."

Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of more than 500 organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. Visit the HCWH website for more information.