The Punjab Pollution Control Board in association with the Indian Medical Association and Toxics Link, New Delhi, organised a workshop on the hazards of mercury at Dumra Auditorium, Dayanad Medical College here today. It stressed the need for replacing mercury-equipped instruments with aneroid-based instrument.
Mercury is mostly used in thermometers, blood pressure measuring instruments (sphygmomanometer), oesophageal dilators and dental amalgams.
The pollution control board has been pressing all health care facilities both in government as well as private sector to phase out mercury-based equipment and replace these with aneroid-based instruments.
The potential environmental hazard, human toxicity and disposal cost of mercury have led to a growing demand for non-mercury containing devices in healthcare facilities.
During the workshop, Dr Ragini Kumari from Toxics Link said mercury inhalation as a result of spillage from an instrument could cause damage to lungs, kidney and the central nervous system.
She said mercury was one of the most toxic natural elements. It was a global contaminant and neuro-toxin, and had an adverse effect on the human nervous system and other body parts.
She explained the global and regional policies framed by the World Health Organisation regarding the replacement of mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometer in the healthcare sector.
The pollution control board, as part of its initiative, is organising a series of workshops. Today’s was the first workshop in Ludhiana, which was attended by doctors and paramedical staff from government as well as private hospitals.
Dr Daljit Singh, principal, Dayanad Medical College, said their hospital would become mercury-free by December 31.
KS Pannu, chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, who presided over the workshop, said it was high time that a progressive state like Punjab made its healthcare facilities mercury-free in the next one year. He lauded the hospitals that had volunteered to become mercury-free.
Kulwant Singh, president, IMA, (Ludhiana), assured that all healthcare sectors in the city would be made mercury-free.