The uses of mercury equipment and products in Irish healthcare.

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal, one of the most toxic metals within the food chain and has a number of uses in the Irish health care sector. This paper reports on a mercury survey in Ireland with the purpose to present a picture of mercury use in health settings. The findings show 50% of health settings free of all mercury medical equipment. Mercury spills occur within 30% of health settings, with no training provided in handling mercury equipment, in the management of mercury spills and only 10% of health services have mercury clean up kits. With 50% of mercury waste disposed inappropriately, a number of recommendations are advanced for reducing the amount of mercury in the health settings alongside awareness and education for health professionals.