Experts cautioned that while mercury devices are safe when intact, broken or improperly disposed of instruments release toxic vapours that can harm the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system, and contaminate the environment. Drawing lessons from the mercury contamination incident in Kodaikanal, Dr. Dennis Xavier, Professor and Head of Pharmacology at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, stressed the dangers of mercury exposure and the importance of safe handling and disposal.

India, a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, is working with the Ministries of Health and Environment and WHO India to eliminate mercury-based medical devices and promote digital and aneroid alternatives. The World Health Organization ranks mercury among the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern, especially dangerous for children, unborn babies, and nursing infants.

A 2011 Toxics Link report estimated that around eight tonnes of mercury are released in India each year from medical measuring devices—69% from blood pressure monitors and the rest from thermometers—largely due to unsafe disposal.

Dr. Lalitha of M.S. Ramaiah Medical College warned that mercury exposure during pregnancy or lactation poses serious risks to future generations. Former Karnataka State Pollution Control Board officer Dr. B. Nagappa urged all healthcare facilities to strictly follow mercury spill protocols, train staff, and adopt safer alternatives.

Environmental activist Akshay Heblikar and Consumer VOICE’s Nilanjana Bose highlighted the need for households to follow the healthcare sector’s lead in switching to mercury-free devices, which are now accurate, affordable, and widely available.

“This movement empowers people to safeguard both public health and the environment,” said S.J. Chander, CEO of FSHI.