Mercury thermometers to be replaced in state hospitals

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry has taken a decision to gradually remove all mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers from use in state hospitals, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman said the mercury metres will be replaced with digital thermometers and sphygmomanometers.

This decision was taken to stop adding mercury to the environment which is a serious environmental issue. The Health Ministry will purchase digital thermometers and sphygmomanometers in the future.

The circular was issued by Health Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayatilleke on February 11 to provincial and regional health directors and hospital directors, he said.

The mercury being added to the environment through discarded CFL bulbs can be reduced by 50 percent by using T-8 CFL bulbs instead of T-5 CFL bulbs, the spokesman said.