EU bans mercury exports from March 2011

BRUSSELS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) member states have adopted a legislation banning all exports of mercury from the 27-nation bloc as from March 2011.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, welcomed the final adoption Thursday, saying the export ban is a key part of the EU's strategy for reducing the global supply of mercury and thereby limiting emissions of the highly toxic heavy metal into the environment.

The legislation requires mercury that is no longer used in the chlor-alkali industry, the chemical industry sector responsible for chlorine and caustic soda production, or that is produced in certain other industrial operations, to be put into safe storage once the export ban takes effect in March 2011.

"Mercury poses a threat to human health and the environment in the European Union and globally. This important piece of legislation will protect citizens by significantly reducing exposure to this highly toxic metal," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said.

Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, animals and ecosystems. High doses can be fatal to humans, but even relatively low doses can seriously affect the nervous system. It persists in the environment.

Use of mercury is declining at both global and EU levels. In the EU only the chlor-alkali industry remains a significant user, and it is progressively phasing out the use of mercury-containing cells in its production of chlorine.

Although the EU stopped all forms of mercury mining in 2001, itis the world's biggest exporter, responsible for up to a quarter of the global mercury supply.