Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver, of both humans and wildlife. The most likely routes of exposure to mercury are inhalation of inorganic mercury vapor after a spill or during a manufacturing process, or ingestion of methylmercury from contaminated fish. Throughout health care, mercury is found in thermometers, blood pressure devices, lab chemicals, cleaners and various other products
Many health care facilities are now required to meet strict wastewater treatment discharge limits for mercury. The cost of clean up from a Mercury spill is costly and poses an occupational health risk to employees. Fortunately, there are safe, cost-effective non-mercury alternatives for nearly all uses of mercury in health care. By eliminating mercury, you can not only protect the health of local communities, but your “bottom line” as well.
What Can Your Hospital Do?
Conduct a mercury audit.
Identify all uses and sources of mercury in your institution while communicating the audit process and goals to employees. Be sure to conduct the audit with facility processes in normal operation and during work hours so that questions can be asked of employees.
Resources:
Commit to eliminate the use of mercury.
Investigate opportunities to phase out mercury-containing items where fewer barriers exist and immediate steps can be taken.
Resources:
Implement a Mercury-Free Purchasing Policy.
Communicate with suppliers about the policy and work with your staff and MedAssets on finding non-mercury alternatives.
Resources:
Educate and train your employees.
Make sure employees know about and understand facility protocols, including information about mercury and its effects on human health and the environment. Provide the leadership responsibilities for your program to a person or committee that can act as a central point of contact for all departments.
Join the H2E listserve.
Share and learn technical information, find educational tools and identify practical strategies for mercury elimination and discuss other pollution prevention and waste minimization issues. To join, go to: http://www.h2e-online.org/listserv/overview.htm
Additional Resources:
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment – Mercury Elimination: an overview, resources, and how to eliminate mercury in your facility.
The Sustainable Hospitals Project – General information on mercury, and tools for change such as annual assessment forms, resource lists, case studies, and purchasing policy language.
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services – Report on steps to take to eliminate or manage mercury, with corresponding informative links.
The U.S. FDA – Provides a list of Mercury in drug and biologic products.
Minnesota Technical Assistance Program - Reference list of Mercury in Health Care Lab Reagents.
Trimline Medical offers a Mercury Recovery Program. For every new TRIMLINE Sphygmomanometer purchased, TRIMLINE will accept– free of charge – a mercurial unit (from any manufacturer) for safe handling or disposal.