A barometer acts like a scale. In a mercury barometer, it measures the pressure of the atmosphere around you and pushes it against the liquid mercury.

Tapping a barometer to check the weather may become a thing of the past after the European Parliament on Tuesday adopted new rules to scrap the use of mercury and protect the environment.

Mercury Stick Barometer made by Horn & Thornthwaite instrument makers. The body is made of oak with displays for the barometer and integral thermometer of engraved bone.

Euro MPs have signalled the end of traditional barometers, in a move to ban the sale of products containing mercury across the EU. The parliament's environment committee rejected a bid to exclude ...