Legislation banning all exports of mercury from the European Union will come into force in 2011.rnMercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, animals and ecosystems. High doses can be fatal to humans, but even relatively low doses can seriously affect the nervous system and have been linked with possible harmful effects on the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems.rnUse of mercury is declining at both global and EU levels but some significant uses remain. Globally, the main uses of mercury are in small-scale gold mining, the chlor-alkali industry - the chemical industry sector responsible for chlorine and caustic soda production - and in the production of vinyl-chloride monomer, the basis of PVC plastic. Chlorine and caustic soda are used in a variety of products, for example, plastics, medicine and Pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, clothing and building materials.
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