KATHMANDU: Experts today urged health professionals to take an initiative to phase out mercury use from healthcare sector, arguing that it has adversely affected human health and environment. Mahesh Nakarmi, director at the Health Care Foundation Nepal said that the disposed off and damaged mercury thermometers has adverse environmental impact as well as implications for human health. Ram Charitra Sah, Executive Director, Centre for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED), said the government should no longer delay in formulating policies and strategies that are necessary for making Nepal a mercury-free country. He warned that the mercury causes harmful effects to the nervous, digestive, respiratory, and immune systems. "It also damages kidneys and lung," he said, adding, "Exposure to it may result tremours, impaired vision, hearing loss, paralysis, insomnia, and emotional instability." The World Health Organisation has confirmed that the use of mercury also causes developmental deficits during pregnancy.