Mercury thermometers are no longer allowed to be produced? Behind the doubling of prices and out-of-stock situations everywhere

A recent piece of news has directly gone viral on wechat Moments: Starting from next year, the production of mercury thermometers will be completely banned!

As soon as the news came out, the market went crazy - mercury thermometers that used to cost a few yuan each have now soared to nearly 20 yuan and are still hard to get. They are sold out both online and offline. Even many agents and distributors are in a panic, using connections everywhere to get supplies from manufacturers, fearing they might miss the last batch of inventory.

In just a few days, from being ignored to being snapped up, behind this abnormal rush to purchase is the new regulation that "mercury thermometers will be completely

banned from production starting from January 1, 2026." But here comes the question: Why is it that this old thermometer, which has accompanied several generations, suddenly no longer allowed to be produced?

Could it be that from now on, when I catch a cold or have a fever, I won't even be able to accurately measure my body temperature? First, let's reassure everyone: It's not that it's not allowed to be used, but that production is not allowed. The inventory can still be sold. The mercury thermometers currently at home can still be used as long as they are not broken, but after 2026, there will be no new ones on the market.

As for the reason for the ban on production, it is similar to what everyone thinks. The cheap and accurate mercury thermometer actually hides a fatal hidden danger.

The scientific name of mercury is mercury. It is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature and is also well-known as a highly toxic substance. A standard mercury thermometer contains 1 to 2 grams of mercury. Once broken, the mercury will quickly turn into vapor and spread. Inhaling mercury vapor can damage the nervous system and kidneys, especially for the elderly, children and pregnant women, which may lead to irreversible harm such as delayed development and fetal malformations.

The core of this production ban is to fulfill the Minamata Convention on Mercury - a global environmental protection agreement that requires all countries to gradually phase out mercury-containing products to safeguard human health and the ecological environment. The National Medical Products Administration issued a notice as early as 2020, clearly stating that the production of mercury-containing thermometers and blood pressure monitors would be completely banned as of January 1, 2026. It was only as the implementation was approaching that people began to stock up belatedly.

In fact, hoarding goods is really unnecessary! Rather than spending a high price to secure inventory, it's better to figure out: After mercury thermometers are phased out, what reliable alternatives are there?

There are many alternative solutions available on the market at present, such as electronic thermometers, infrared ear thermometers, forehead thermometers, etc. However, many people joke that the electronic models are "inaccurate", and the infrared models are greatly affected by the environment. They still prefer the "shake" feel of the glass thermometer, thinking that only in this way can they feel at ease about the temperature measured.

Don't worry. Someone has already thought of this problem. Now, a "perfect alternative" has been launched on the market, which not only satisfies everyone's obsession with the traditional usage experience but also completely solves the toxicity problem of mercury.

It looks almost exactly like a mercury thermometer, with a glass casing and clear scales. Before use, it still needs to be "shaken" and held under the armpit for 5 to 10 minutes. The way of reading remains exactly the same, and the older generation can handle it with ease.

But the key difference lies in that the "silver liquid" inside is not mercury, but an alloy made by proportionally mixing gallium, indium and tin. Although it is also liquid, its safety varies greatly - it is non-toxic and non-radioactive. Even if it is accidentally broken, no toxic gas will be released.

This alloy will solidify rapidly upon contact with air, turning into a small piece of metal. It is particularly easy to clean: just wear gloves to collect the glass fragments and solidified metal, and dispose of them as ordinary dry waste. There is no need to be as anxious as dealing with mercury, having to seal and ventilate for fear of any residue.

In terms of the accuracy that everyone is most concerned about, it is in no way inferior to a mercury thermometer. Like mercury, it also measures temperature based on the principle of "thermal expansion and contraction", with an error that can be controlled within 0.1℃, making it the "gold standard" for temperature measurement. Moreover, it doesn't require batteries and doesn't need regular calibration. As long as the glass tube is not damaged, it can maintain accuracy for life, which is more reliable than many electronic thermometers.

The price is also very affordable, with each unit priced at only a single digit. Compared with the mercury thermometers that are currently being hyped up to sky-high prices, the cost performance is directly at its peak.

Some people might ask, is this kind of alloy thermometer reliable? Of course it's reliable! On May 1st next year, the new national standard for "Glass Thermometers" will come into effect, specifically regulating the technical indicators of this mercury-free gallium indium tin alloy thermometer, which is equivalent to providing a "double insurance" for its quality.

To sum up one more thing: The phasing out of mercury thermometers represents an advancement in environmental protection concepts and a safeguard for health. There is no need to blindly stockpile them. This gallium indium tin alloy thermometer not only retains the accuracy and feel of traditional tools but also eliminates safety hazards, making it the "ideal successor".

Rather than spending a high price to buy mercury-containing products that are about to be phased out, it is better to choose safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives. After all, the core of temperature measurement lies not only in accuracy but also in safety - this has long been achieved by new alternatives.