Do Sphygmomanometers Contain Mercury?

Sphygmomanometer contains 50 to 140 g metal mercury inside the column and bulb,³ and is the second largest mercury-use device next to lamps among entire equipment in Japan,^4,5 whereas reduction of mercury volume encapsulated in fluorescent lamps have been promoted by replacing to light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

Is mercury sphygmomanometer banned?

The sale of Mercury Sphygmomanometers is now banned under EU directive no 847/2012 which also bans the use of Mercury strain gauges. Alternatives to the Mercury sphygmomanometer and Mercury strain gauge are widely available, in the case of strain gauges they now use Indium Gallium.

Is the mercury from the sphygmomanometer toxic?

Mercury is found not only in sphygmomanometers but also in thermometers and weather barometers, and many homes possess these. Even a small amount of mercury, such as that from a thermometer, can result in mercury poisoning, especially in children.