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:

The acquisition, disposal, sale or use of all mercury compounds as an agriculture or stock remedy which contains any mercury compound on seed, bulbs, tubers, stalks or other vegetative matter.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

None.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The acquisition, disposal, sale or use of an agricultural remedy or stock remedy which contains any mercury compound on seed, bulbs, tubers, stalks or other vegetative matter was prohibited as from 27 February 1983.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The Decision Guidance Document on Mercury compounds notes the following in the section on summary of control actions:

Mercury compounds in both organic and inorganic forms are found to be toxic to man, aquatic organisms and residues accumulate in aquatic biota with the results potentially dangerous residue levels reached in aquatic food.

A large number of human studies on the systemic effects of methyl mercury have been carried out. This is the result of two large scale poisoning incidents in Japan and Iraq and several epidemiologic studies investigating populations that consume large quantities of fish. Infants born to women who ingested high concentrations of methyl mercury exhibited CNS effects, such as mental retardation, ataxia, deafness, constriction of the visual field, blindness, and cerebral palsy.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The elimination of adverse effects on the population of South Africa resulting from the use of mercury as an agricultural or stock remedy.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

The Decision Guidance Document on Mercury compounds prepared by the UNEP/FAO for the Secretariat for the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade indicates that this chemical's volatility can circulate in the environment through water, soil and air. Mercury compounds are transported into the aquatic environment through volatilization, run-off, leaching and discharges. Aryl mercury and mercury salts in the river and lakes can be converted into highly toxic methyl by methylation.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

The prohibition of acquisition of agricultural seeds containing mercury will reduce the adverse effects on the environment from this use.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 27/02/1983