Number
095-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Health services
Function
Filler
Process
Use of functional fluids in small devices
Product category
Base metals and alloys
Application
Gastric tube
Abstract
Guide with a step-by-step description of elimination of mercury in devices used at health care settings.
Substituted substances
Mercury
CAS No. 7439-97-6 EC No. 231-106-7 Index No. 080-001-00-0
Chemical group
Metals
Classification: hazard statements
H360D May damage the unborn child
H330 Fatal if inhaled
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Other adverse effects
The substance is: neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Alternative Substances
Tungsten
CAS No. 7440-33-7 EC No. 231-143-9 Index No.
Chemical group
Metals
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
CMR
ecotoxicity
Other type of alternative
Digital, electronic and mechanical devices
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Mercury is very toxic, is fatal if inhaled, may damage the unborn child and may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Furthermore, it is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. The substance is: 1A or 1B carcinogen (CLP Regulation), neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substance: Tungsten has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).
Description of Substitution
The guide is a step-by-step description of elimination of mercury in devices used at health care settings. 5 steps are defined: 1. Create a mercury elimination task-force 2. Have hospital management sign a Pledge or Letter of Commitment to phase-out mercury 3. Conduct a mercury inventory 4. Develop a mercury-substitution program 5. Post implementation evaluation In annex 4, there is a list of alternatives recommended by Health Care Without Harm:
Contains mercury | Alternative |
Thermometers | Mainly digital or electronic |
Blood pressure monitors | Mainly digital or electronic |
Thermostats | Mainly aneroid (mechanical dial or digital) |
Fluorescent tubes | Electronic |
Batteries | Bulbs with low mercury content |
Amalgam dental fillings | Mercury-free/rechargeable batteries |
Manometers | Glass ionomer/composite/resin fillings Electronic |
Gastrointestinal tubes | Tubes with tungsten weights |
Case/substitution evaluation
According to this guide, tungsten is recommended for gastrointestinal tubes weights. Officially, tungsten is considered harmless. Although in this application tungsten will not be in contact with the patient or the staff/personnel - only if the device is damaged. This case study shows a substitution of a high toxic substance by a non-classified substance.
Availability ofAlternative
Available
Contact
Health Care Without Harm https://noharm.org/
Further information
You can find the guide here: http://noharm-global.org/documents/mercury-elimination-guide-hospitals
Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese from https://noharm-global.org/issues/global/switching-alternatives
Type of publication and availability
Freely available from link
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
Guide for eliminating mercury from health care establishments Health Care Without Harm 2010
Publication source
Type of publication and availability
https://noharm-global.org/documents/mercury-elimination-guide-hospitals
Date, reviewed
December 11, 2020