In a bid to make Austria a mercury-free environment pharmacies across the country will be collecting mercury thermometers and exchanging them for digital thermometers at a cost of only 1 Euro. Under the motto “Living in healthy households” the exchange, organised by the Austrian Environment Ministry and Austrian board of pharmacies, will begin on the 9 October 2007 and last the entire month.

Pharmacies will also be distributing a free campaign brochure explaining the potential dangers of mercury and the precautionary measures needed to avoid exposure. The brochure lists emergency contact numbers and has tips on how to treat mercury exposure.

The Austrian campaign closely follows the introduction of new EU rules restricting the the marketing and use of mercury-containing devices, which entered into force 3 October. According to the rules Member States must ban mercury in all fever thermometers from October 2008. Similar devices like manometers and blood-pressure meters will also be banned for public sale.

For a link to the campaign, please see the Austrian pharmacies website, where exchange coupons can be downloaded.