Accepting the scientific evidence that mercury is a health risk, the European Commission ordered the export of mercury to be banned in the European Union from 2011 in September 2008.

If the European Commission accepts the scientific evidence for mercury toxicity is strong enough to effect an export ban, why mercury it allowed to be used inside the European Union, specifically in the swine flu jab by the European drug regulator, the EMEA?

The fact that the EMEA has allowed the use of mercury in the swine flu jab in spite of the overwhelming evidence that it must have in its possession that merury poses a serious health risk strongly suggests an intention to cause damage and death.

EU to ban mercury exports by 2011

Health cited as reason

AFP

Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008

BRUSSELS - The export of mercury will be banned in the European Union from 2011 in order to reduce health risks, the European Commission announced Thursday.

Alongside the ban, which includes mixtures of metallic mercury with other substances, the new rules to be introduced in March 2011 will oblige all mercury already in Europe to be "safely stored" so as not to cause a hazard.

"Mercury poses a threat to human health and the environment in the European Union and globally," said EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

"This important piece of legislation will protect citizens by significantly reducing exposure to this highly toxic metal.

"Let us hope that other countries will follow our example," he added.

A commission spokeswoman said that the 27 EU member states would in January consider whether a ban on mercury imports is also required.

The EU ended all mercury extraction in 2001 but remains the world's biggest exporter, supplying around a quarter of global consumption of mercury.

Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans and high doses can be fatal.

The use of mercury is declining worldwide but it is still used in small-scale gold mining, the chlor-alkali industry and production of vinyl-chloride monomer, the basis of PVC plastic.

It has also been used in dental amalgam for fillings.

(AFP)

Environment: Commission welcomes adoption of legislation to ban EU mercury exports

European Union

09/25/2008

europa.eu

The European Commission welcomes the final adoption by the Council today of legislation banning all exports of mercury from the European Union. 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.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “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. Let us hope that other countries will follow our example and support our goal of cutting the global supply of this dangerous substance.”

Dangers of mercury exposure 
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 and have been linked with possible harmful effects on the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems. Mercury persists in the environment, where it can change into methylmercury, its most toxic form. Methylmercury readily passes through both the placenta and the blood-brain barrier, so exposure of women of child-bearing age and of children is of greatest concern.

Mercury use 
Use of mercury is declining at both global and EU levels. Yet some significant uses remain. Globally, the main uses of mercury are in small-scale gold mining, the chlor-alkali industry and production of vinyl-chloride monomer, the basis of PVC plastic. 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. The next most significant use in the EU is in dental amalgam.

EU mercury exports 
Although the EU stopped all forms of mercury mining in 2001, it is the world’s biggest exporter – responsible for up to a quarter of the global mercury supply. The new legislation is designed to ensure that several thousand tonnes of mercury will be taken out of circulation and stored in a way preventing its release. Euro Chlor, a federation representing the European chlor-alkali manufacturing industry, has made a voluntary commitment to ensure safe storage of mercury from the industry and compliance with all relevant national and EU legislation.

Background 
The Commission launched the EU’s mercury strategy – a comprehensive plan addressing mercury pollution both in the EU and globally – in January 2005. It consists of 20 measures to reduce mercury emissions, cut supply and demand and protect against exposure, especially to methylmercury found in fish. The export ban and safe storage of surplus mercury are major aspects of the strategy.