New mercury rules would ban button batteries

The public has until May 12 to comment on proposed federal regulations that would ban most mercury-containing products in Canada.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and Environment Minister Peter Kent said the move would eliminate 4.5 tonnes of mercury in products entering the marketplace each year.

“Mercury is a neurotoxin. Ingesting methylmercury can affect the neurodevelopment and learning ability of small children. Keeping products that contain mercury out of the marketplace helps to protect the health of Canadians,” said Aglukkaq.

The products include thermometers, button batteries and measuring instruments such as barometers.

The government, however, will still allow some mercury-containing products to continue to be manufactured and imported, including scientific instruments, dental fillings and compact fluorescent lamps.

Dental fillings, the government background paper explained, are a mixture of metals that do not appear to pose a risk to health and they are inexpensive compared to the alternatives.

The ministers say there will be limits on the amount of mercury allowed in different types of fluorescent lamps.

There will also be improved label information for consumers about the level of mercury in the products and how to safely dispose of them.

Related News

atlantic power lines

Atlantica - Regulatory Reform To Bring Greener Power To Atlantic Canada

ST. JOHNS - Atlantica Centre for Energy Senior Policy Consultant Neil Jacobsen says the future of Atlantic Canada’s electricity grid depends on agile regulations that match the pace at which renewable technologies are being developed in the race to meet Canada’s climate goals.

In an interview, Jacobsen stressed the need for a more modernized energy regulatory framework, so the Atlantic Provinces can collaborate to quickly develop and adopt cleaner energy.

To this end, Atlantica released a paper that makes the case for responsive smart grid technology, the adaptation of alternative forms of clean energy, the adaptation of hydrogen as an energy source,…

READ MORE

Turkish powership to generate electricity from LNG in Senegal

READ MORE

IAEA simulator

IAEA reactor simulators get more use during Covid-19 lockdown

READ MORE

Sen. Cortez Masto Leads Colleagues in Urging Congress to Support Clean Energy Industry in Economic Relief Packages

READ MORE

ukraine-prepares-for-winter-amid-energy-challenges

Ukraine Prepares for Winter Amid Energy Challenges

READ MORE