NIH Moves to Ban Most Uses of Mercury on its Facilities It's a win for the environment, health, and the integrity of your research. Our highly successful voluntary campaign toward a mercury-free NIH has taken another huge step forward. As of September 2, 2008 the procurement and use of mercury and its compounds, and mercury contaminated products is now prohibited on all NIH facilities. There are a few general exceptions for items like fluorescent lights that require small amounts mercury to work properly and there is a process to obtain specific exceptions for necessary scientific uses for which there are no acceptable alternatives.
