<P> Since European Union directive 2007 / 51 / EC came into force on 3 April 2009, the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported that mercury thermometers could no longer be sold to the general public . Shops holding stocks of unsold thermometers had to withdraw them from sale; mercury thermometers purchased before this date could be used without legal implications . The purpose of these restrictions is to protect the environment and public health by decreasing the amount of mercury waste released . The HPA had, in 2007, released a guide to dealing with small spills of mercury . </P> <Dl> <Dt> United States of America </Dt> </Dl> <Dt> United States of America </Dt> <P> In the United States, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommend that alternative thermometers be used in the home . </P>

Which is a reason that thermometers lose​ accuracy