Mercury burning 'generates 200 tonnes of pollution every year'

Burning products that contain mercury contributes 200 tonnes of pollution to the air annually, according to a new study.

This burning activity accounts for ten per cent of the mercury released into earth's atmosphere yearly, the research, conducted by the Mercury Policy Project, discovered.

Michael Bender, director of the project, and co-coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group, said that the report indicates that mercury emissions could be "much more significant than previously suspected".

He continued: "Based upon our review, this source emits twice as much mercury around the globe than previously thought."

As a result of the findings, the group is now urging countries to take measures to "stop incineration as a method of waste disposal" and invest money into researching alternatives, Mr Bender added.

Among the nations to ban the exporting of mercury - an element that is toxic to humans - is the US, which will fully implement the ban by 2011.