New mercury rules would ban button batteries


NFPA 70E Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$199
Coupon Price:
$149
Reserve Your Seat Today

Canada Mercury Restrictions curb neurotoxin exposure by limiting mercury in thermometers, button batteries, and barometers, while setting fluorescent lamp limits, improving labeling, and safe disposal guidance; some scientific devices, dental fillings, and CFLs stay exempt.

 

The Important Points

Canada limits mercury in products; exempts dental amalgam and CFLs; adds labeling, disposal rules, and lamp limits.

  • Reduces 4.5 tonnes of mercury entering markets each year
  • Restricts thermometers, button batteries, and barometers
  • Exempts scientific devices, dental amalgam, and CFLs

 

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, though Ontario's broken mercury pledge has complicated regional efforts.

“Mercury is a neurotoxin. Ingesting methylmercury can affect the neurodevelopment and learning ability of small children, and ongoing concerns about mercury in light bulbs underscore the risks. 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, amid a delay in turning off incandescents in related policy, 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 to reflect mixed performance data.

Related News

Texas produces and consumes the most electricity in the US

Texas ERCOT Power Grid leads U.S. wind generation yet faces isolated interconnection, FERC exemption, and…
View more

Planning for our electricity future should be led by an independent body

Nova Scotia Integrated Resource Plan evaluates NSPI supply options, UARB oversight, Muskrat Falls imports, coal…
View more

Prevent Summer Power Outages

Summer Heatwave Electricity Shutoffs strain utilities and vulnerable communities, highlighting energy assistance, utility moratoriums, cooling…
View more

Should California Fund Biofuels or Electric Vehicles?

California Biofuels vs EV Subsidies examines tradeoffs in decarbonization, greenhouse gas reductions, clean energy deployment,…
View more

Alberta Faces Challenges with Solar Energy Expansion

Alberta Solar Energy Expansion confronts high installation costs, grid integration and storage needs, and environmental…
View more

Altmaier's new electricity forecast: the main driver is e-mobility

Germany 2030 Electricity Demand Forecast projects 658 TWh, driven by e-mobility, heat pumps, and green…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.