Obama's proposed mercury ban made into law

A bill proposed by presidential candidate Barack Obama to ban all exports of the toxic metal mercury has been signed by George Bush.

The law was backed by the majority of senators and means that US mercury will now stay in the country, ensuring that the defence and energy departments cannot export built up stockpiles of the substance.

Under the new regulations, the department of energy will also have to prepare plans for the metal's storage and management for the future.

Senator Obama said the passing is "an important victory" as the country is "one of the world's leading exporters of this dangerous product".

"Exposure to mercury leads to serious developmental problems in children as well as problems affecting vision, motor skills, blood pressure, and fertility in adults," he highlighted.

This move comes as the European Union banned exports of the metal from the continent last month, a law which will be fully implemented in 2011.