Chemical name: Mercury compounds Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action: All formulations and uses of plant protection products containing Mercury compounds, including inorganic mercury compounds, alkyl mercury compounds, alkyloxy-alkyl- and aril mercury compounds are prohibited. Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed: The chemicals are severely restricted for other pesticidal use such as biocides (see section 2.2.1). The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: No Summary of the final regulatory action: Mercury compounds were excluded from the list of active substances authorized for use in plant protection products in 1991 under the Law on protection of plants against pests and blights. It has prohibited to production, use and place on the market all plant protection products containing Mercury compounds, including inorganic mercury compounds, alkyl mercury compounds, alkyloxy-alkyl- and aril mercury compounds, according to annual adopted list of active ingredients banned for use in plant protection products under the lant Protection Act since 2003. Mercury compounds are designated as PIC chemicals. (Annex I of the Regulation on the import and export of certain dangerous chemicals on the Bulgarian territory). The import and use of the chemical for research or laboratory purposes in quantities less than 10 kg are allowed. According to the Regulation on bans and restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, Mercury compounds may not be used as substances and constituents of preparations intended for use: (a) to prevent the fouling by micro-organisms, plants or animals of: - the hulls of boats, - cages, floats, nets and any other appliances or equipment used for fish or shellfish farming, - any totally or partly submerged appliances or equipment; (b) in the preservation of wood; (c) in the impregnation of heavy-duty industrial textiles and yarn intended for their manufacture; (d) in the treatment of industrial waters, irrespective of their use. The placing on the market of batteries and accumulators, containing more than 0.0005% of mercury by weight, including in those cases where these batteries and accumulators are incorporated into appliances shall be prohibited. Button cells and batteries composed of button cells with a mercury content of no more than 2% by weight shall be exempted from this prohibition. The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment Summary of known hazards and risks to human health: The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of mercury. Exposure to high levels of any types of mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing foetus. Effects on brain functions may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing and memory problems. High exposures of mercury vapour may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a build up of fluids in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) that can be fatal. Methyl mercury and mercury metal vapours are especially harmful, because more mercury reaches the brain. Long term exposures may cloud the eye. Contact with mercuric chloride can cause burns to the skin and permanent damage to the eyes. Mercury also accumulates in the body. Mercury can be absorbed through the skin. Workers in the industries that use or produce mercury and its compounds (mercury mines and refineries, chemical manufacturing, dental/health fields, metal smelters) are at risk of exposure. Workers in fossil fuel power plants and in cement manufacturing may be exposed to mercury compounds if they are exposed to gaseous process emissions. Consumers can be exposed to mercury and its compounds by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using mercury and its compounds, by eating fish or shellfish contaminated with methyl mercury. People can also be exposed to mercury from dental work and medical treatments. Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health: To avoid exposure of the chemicals and the associated risks to human health. Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment: Both mercury and its compounds have high acute (short-term) and have high chronic (long-term) toxicity on aquatic life. Eating fish contaminated with mercury has caused poisoning in humans; birds and land animals exposed in the same manner could also be subject to the same effects. There is not sufficient data to determine the acute toxicity of mercury and its compounds on plants, birds or land animals. Mercury and its compounds are highly persistent in water and the environment and will bioaccumulate or concentrate in the tissues of fish. These concentrations will be considerably higher than the water from which the fish is taken. Mercury chloride will act as a particle, following wind patterns, and being deposited by rain. Elemental mercury may be a gas in the atmosphere. Emissions of mercury and or mercury compounds can produce elevated, but still low-level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Elemental mercury can evaporate from both soil and water into the atmosphere. When mercury enters the environment from emissions in the air, water or soil, it oxidises into other compounds of mercury. These other forms of mercury form methyl mercury, through either chemical or biological (bacteria) processes. Methyl mercury builds up in the tissues of fish and shellfish. In areas of mercury contamination, larger and older fish tend to have higher levels of mercury. Mercury emitted to the environment will remain for years. Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment: To avoid exposure of the chemicals and the associated risks to environment. Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 01/04/2003 |