Mercury thermometer has the characteristics of accuracy. Generally, when measuring axillary temperature, it takes 5- 10 minutes, and 7 minutes is the best. However, because the working substance is mercury, mercury thermometers are gradually being replaced by electronic thermometers and infrared thermometers. Mercury is harmful to nature and the earth. If used improperly, it will cause great pollution.
1992 Sweden bans the sale of all medical equipment containing mercury. Britain, France, Denmark and the Netherlands have also banned the use and sale. In the United States, since 2000, many states and cities such as San Francisco, Boston and Michigan have banned the sale of mercury thermometers. The European Commission also decided to ban the sale of mercury thermometers from 2005 and the export of mercury thermometers from 20 1 1.
According to statistics, more than 10 tons of mercury is treated as waste in China every year due to the breakage of mercury thermometer. Although it is well known that mercury can cause harm to human body, there are no relevant regulations on mercury thermometers in China at present. Mercury thermometers are the most widely used in major hospitals, and the thermometers sold in pharmacies are mainly mercury. According to experts, because electronic thermometers used to appear in the market as health care products and gifts, the quality has not been effectively supervised by relevant state departments, with high cost and low profit, and the market is not yet mature. Mercury thermometer belongs to the national compulsory verification measuring instruments, with a long history of production and use. At present, the product quality and supervision and management are basically standardized.