• Email this page
• Print this page

Mercury Programme

Mercury Programme Goal: To protect human and ecosystem health by reducing and/or eliminating the use and release of mercury from human sources to the environment.

The release of mercury into the environment is harmful to both human and ecosystem health. Mercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains, to the point that consumption of fish can be hazardous to birds, mammals and humans. The comprehensive phase-out of mercury use and its release is important because mercury persists in the environment for a long time.

Since 1996 Pollution Probe has been a national leader in actions and policies aimed at fighting mercury pollution in Canada and North America. Pollution Probe has developed a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to achieving this goal, through advocating the elimination and reduction of mercury use and release, and setting the stage for corporate mercury reductions. Based on our experience working with industry and government to achieve significant changes in mercury use in Ontario, we have developed a high level of leadership and credibility internationally.

In March 2009, Pollution Probe congratulated the Government of Canada for supporting an international instrument to reduce global mercury pollution. We further encourage the government to support aggressive timelines and targets internationally, as well as ban non-essential uses of mercury in products and processes and manage releases from legacy sources domestically.

Pollution Probe’s mercury work is divided into two main activities: increasing public awareness of Mercury-containing products and their impacts, and our Mercury Policy work.