The Zero Mercury Campaign website is part of the Global Zero Mercury Campaign Project having as its ultimate objective ‘Zero’ emissions, demand and supply of mercury, from all sources we can control, in view of reducing to a minimum, mercury in the environment at EU level and globally.

The project started in November 2004, by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) in collaboration with the (international) Ban Hg Working Group, represented by its northern coordinator - Mercury Policy Project . Details on the project can be found here.

Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, especially to the developing nervous system. They are also harmful to ecosystems and wildlife populations. Microbial metabolism of deposited mercury can create methylmercury, which has the capacity to collect in organisms (bioaccumulate) and to concentrate up food chains (biomagnify), especially in the aquatic food chain. Methylmercury is a well documented neurotoxicant, which may in particular cause adverse effects on the developing brain. It readily passes both the placental barrier and the blood-brain barrier, therefore, exposures during pregnancy are of highest concern. It may also cause adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, thereby leading to increased mortality. Methylmercury compounds are considered possible carcinogenic to humans according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Furthermore, inhalation of elemental mercury vapour includes symptoms such as tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular changes, and headaches. Kidney and thyroid may be affected.
                                                                                   
                                                            Français- Glossaire Mercure

Forthcoming Events

18 June 2009, Brussels
EEB/ZMWG/HCWH Conference
'EU mercury phase out in measuring and control equipment'

Invitation for Public - Registration 4 Public
Invitation for NGOs - Registration 4 NGOs

19 June 2009, Brussels
NGOs strategy meeting on mercury policies


10th, UNEP Global Civil Society Forum, 
14-15 February  2009, Nairobi, Kenya

25th UNEP Governing Council
16-20 February 2009, Nairobi, Kenya


Latest Position Papers

3 April 2009
EEB-GPI response to consultant's report on mercury in lamps under the RoHS annex review

13 March 2009
EEB/ZMWG comments on labelling concerning foodstuff containing mercury - EC proposed Reg. on food information to consumers




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What's New

PR: Turning up the pressure:Phasing out mercury measuring devices in hospitals
18 June 2009

EEB study: 'Turning up the pressure: Phasing out mercury sphygmomanometers for professional use'
18 June 2009

EEB/ZMWG/HCWH Conference
'EU mercury phase out in measuring and control equipment'

18 June 2009, Brussels
Invitation for Public - Registration 4 Public
Invitation for NGOs - Registration 4 NGOs

NGOs strategy meeting on mercury policies
19 June 2009, Brussels

EEB-GPI response to consultant's report on mercury in lamps under the RoHS annex review
3 April 2009

EEB/ZMWG comments on labelling concerning foodstuff containing mercury - EC proposed Reg. on food information to consumers
[13 March 2009]


VICTORY!!!

A GLOBAL AGREEMENT ON MERCURY

PR: World governments support breakthrough agreement on mercury
[20 February 2009]

Final draft text of the agreement here

PR: Mercury in Fish is a Global Health Concern
PR from DNR-Germany
PR from PP - Canada
PR from Legambiente - Italy
PR from Arnika - Cz Rep
[10 February 2009]

ZMWG Report: Mecury in Fish, a global Health Hazard
[10 February 2009]
Executive summary in ENFR, ES, PT, CHI

PR:New Study Raises Concern over Mercury Pollution from Burning Products
[4 February 2009]

ZMWG Report: MERCURY RISING, Reducing global emissions from burning mercury-products
[4 February 2009]


ZMWG Proposal for a UNEP Decision on Mercury
[15 January 2009]

Conference report: Mercury containing lamps under the spotlight
[December 2008]

PR: IPPC Directive toothlless on mercury  phase-out
[18 December 2008]

EEB snapshot report: The European Chlor-alkali industry: Is national implementation of the IPPC Directive contributing to mercury-free industry?
[December 2008]

EU champions a global treaty on mercury
[5 December 2008]

ZMWG comments on Draft UNEP GC decision on mercury
[27 November 2008]

European Region Civil society Statement in preparation for the UNEP GC 25
[18 November 2008]

PR: USA joins EU in banning mercury exports; Environmentalists applaud bi-partisan effort
[15 October, 2008]

PR: Overwhelming majority or countries supports a new free-standing instrument on mercury
[10 October, 2008]

EEB/ZMWG/HCWH/HEAL input sent to EC on review of availability/reliability of mercury-free shpygs in healthcare
Annex I, II, III
[23, September 2008]

ZMWG comments on the UNEP report on Atmospheric Emissions of mercury: Inventory, Sources and Transport,  the AMAP UNEP Report on Sources of mercury to the Atmosphiere: technical Background Document, and Mercury Fate and Transport in the Global atmosphere: measurements, models and policy iimplications produced by the Fate and transport partnership.
[10 August, 2008]

EEB conference: "Mercury-containing lamps under the spotlight"
[27, June 2008]

EU set to lock down mercury (PR)
[21, May 2008]

Environmental NGOs Response to Stakeholder consultation on Adaptation to scientific and technical progress under Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment for the purpose of a possible amendment of the annex. 
Annex I, II, III, IV
[1, April 2008]

Short Report from the NGO meeting and OEWG on Mercury, Bangkok, Thailand,
11-16 November 2007

JOIN THE
ZERO MERCURY WORKING GROUP!

Invitation
Application form

                   
Press Releases

EU set to lock down mercury (PR)
[21, May 2008]

First Steps towards streamlining global solutions on mercury
[16, November 2007]

“Saga is over”: mercury in most measuring devices will soon be history
[10 July 2007]


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Press Clippings

         
Zero Marcury Campaign 2005 Contact: Elena Lymberidi, Zero Mercury Campaign Project Coordinator, EEB, elena.lymberidi@eeb.org, T:+32 2 2891301
The EEB receives a special grant from the Sigrid Rausing Trust for this activity. EEB gratefully acknowledges financial support from the European Commission