Gallium-indium-tin alloy remains liquid at room temperature, exhibiting thermal expansion properties similar to mercury. While stable and accurate in measurement, its higher cost makes non-mercury thermometers priced at 20–30 yuan, compared to under 10 yuan for mercury-based ones.
Starting January 1 next year, mercury thermometers will cease production. Recently, a surge in panic buying has driven prices up significantly.
On December 15, shares of Andon Health Co.,Ltd. (002432.SZ) rose over 5% at market open, settling at nearly 3% by midday. Over the past five trading days, Advanced Technology & Materials Co.,Ltd. (000969.SZ) gained nearly 18%, while Zhuzhou Smelter Group Co.,Ltd. (600961.SZ) climbed about 6%.
Visits to pharmacies revealed a sharp increase in consumers purchasing mercury thermometers, with some buying entire boxes or dozens for keepsakes, leading to shortages. Online platforms reported weekly sales spikes exceeding 1,000%.
Scholar Wu Xiaobo noted on December 15, "Overnight, everyone’s scrambling for mercury thermometers—prices jumped from 5 yuan to nearly 40 yuan."
Price analysis shows offline mercury thermometers remain stable at 6–8 yuan, while online prices surged to 15–20 yuan, with some exceeding 20 yuan—a significant rise from the previous 2–10 yuan range.
Industry experts caution against hoarding. Mercury thermometers are being phased out due to mercury’s high toxicity and non-biodegradability. Breakage leads to rapid vaporization, posing health and environmental risks. Safer alternatives, such as mercury-free glass thermometers using gallium-indium-tin alloys, are already available.
Dr. Gao Wei from Peking University First Hospital’s emergency department explained that each mercury thermometer contains about 1g of mercury. Breakage can elevate airborne mercury levels in a 15-square-meter room to dozens of times the safe limit, risking poisoning.
Mercury thermometers are classified as hazardous and prohibited on flights. If broken, spilled mercury must be carefully collected using paper or plastic sheets, stored in water-filled containers to prevent vaporization.
China’s medical device industry previously produced 120 million mercury thermometers annually, with over 10 tons of mercury requiring disposal due to breakage. Despite minimal mercury per unit, cumulative leakage risks are substantial. Wu Xiaobo raised the question: "Can an unbreakable mercury thermometer be designed?"
Alternatives include digital thermometers, ear thermometers, and mercury-free glass thermometers filled with gallium-indium-tin alloys. These mimic traditional designs but offer safer, eco-friendly materials, albeit at higher costs—typically double that of mercury thermometers (20–30 yuan vs. under 10 yuan).
Major producers of non-mercury thermometers include Shanghai Huachen Medical Instruments, Yuwell Medical, and Andon Health Co.,Ltd. (002432.SZ), with Huachen being China’s largest manufacturer.
Upstream suppliers of gallium, indium, and tin have seen stock gains following the mercury thermometer ban. Aluminum Corporation Of China Limited (601600.SH) is the world’s top primary gallium producer; Zhuzhou Smelter Group Co.,Ltd. (600961.SH) is a key indium supplier; Yunnan Tin Co.,Ltd. (000960.SZ) leads globally in tin production; and Inner Mongolia Xingye Silver & Tin Mining Co.,Ltd. (000426.SZ) is a major domestic producer.
Companies with expertise in high-purity alloy formulations, such as Advanced Technology & Materials Co.,Ltd. (000969.SZ) and Grinm Advanced Materials Co.,Ltd. (600206.SH), are also noteworthy.
However, the non-mercury thermometer market faces stiff competition from digital alternatives. Dr. Li Dongzeng from Beijing You’an Hospital noted that gallium-indium-tin thermometers match mercury models in accuracy and safety but acknowledged that improper use of digital devices (e.g., distance or hair interference with forehead thermometers) can skew readings.
Consumers are advised to choose certified medical devices, with digital thermometers requiring periodic calibration for accuracy.
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