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MERCURY MANAGEMENT RESOURCES
Reducing Mercury Use in Health Care: Promoting a Healthier Environment
Prepared in 1998 by the Monroe County (NY) Department of Health in cooperation with Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY, and the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services. Funding from a grant from U.S. EPA.
The purpose of this how-to manual is to help hospitals start mercury pollution prevention programs or accelerate programs which are already underway. Chapters address information about mercury and its impact on the environment; overview of pollution prevention strategies; how to start a mercury pollution prevention program in your hospital; how to monitor your program, educate staff, and measure success; alternatives for mercury-containing products; best management practices for handling, recycling, and disposing of mercury-containing products still in use; and contacts for further information and case studies.
Contact Margie Peet, 716 274-8442
Water Quality Planning Bureau, Monroe County Health Department
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Mercury Pollution Prevention in Healthcare: A Prescription for Success
By Guy Williams, Pollution Prevention Specialist
National Wildlife Federation July 1997 $6.00/copy
A guide which offers guidance to hospitals that are striving to become mercury-free by providing information on mercury and its effects on people and the environment, the importance of source reduction, the healthcare industry's role in preventing mercury pollution, the whys and hows of becoming mercury- free and success stories.
National Wildlife Federation
Great Lakes Natural Resource Center
506 E. Liberty, 2nd Floor
Ann Arbor MI 48104-2210http://www.nwf.org
http://www.greatlakes.nwf.org
313 769-3351
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The Case Against Mercury: Rx for Pollution Prevention
by Rachel Reeder, 1995
Terrene Institute
publication and poster
1717 K Street NW Suite 801
Washington DC 20006202 833-8317
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The Massachusetts Academic and Scientific Community Organization (MASCO) is a nonprofit serving the needs of the Hospitals in the Longwood Medical area of Boston, mostly Harvard-affiliated. They have worked a great deal to help these hospitals with mercury reduction programs.
www.masco.org (then go to the hospital/mercury page)
David Epstein at 617 632-2860.
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The Sustainable Hospitals Clearinghouse opened in August 1998 at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Among other things, there is substantial information about mercury reduction. See this website:
http://www.uml.edu/centers/LCSP/hospitals/
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The State of Minnesota's Office of Environmental Assistance has an excellent packet of materials on mercury reduction. This includes the document, "Mercury Use in Hospitals and Clinics" and the video, "Mercury and the Healthcare Professional."
Contact Emily Moore at 800 657-3843.
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Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is a multinational collaboration of over 80 organizations and individuals. HCWH promotes comprehensive healthcare pollution prevention practices, including the elimination of mercury containing items.
Publications: Healing the Harm: Eliminating the Pollution from Health Care Practices.
http://www.noharm.org OR http://www.sustain.org/hcwh
703 237-2249
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Becoming a Mercury Free Facility: A Priority to be Achieved by the Year 2000
by Hollie Shaner, RN, MSA
Shaner explores the health care industry's considerable contribution to mercury pollution. She discusses simple, cost effective strategies to better manage, minimize and ultimately eliminate the use of mercury and mercury-based products in health care settings.
The American Hospital Association, The American Society for Healthcare Environment Services (ASHES), $15 for members, $25 for non-members:
800-AHA-2626 to purchase.
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Mercury In Medical Facilities
Designed by U.S. EPA and Purdue University, this is an educational computer program that teaches health care professionals (and anyone else) about the hazards of mercury as commonly used in medical care facilities, especially hospitals and clinics. The program explains the impact of mercury on human health and the integrity of ecosystems, and a 'virtual hospital' allows users to see sources of mercury and their alternatives. Detailed survey and self-study materials are provided, along with case studies from the Mayo Clinic and other locations.
http://www.epa.gov/seahome/mercury/src/title.htm
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Mercury Pollution Prevention In Medical Facilities
Karen Reshkin
US EPA Region 5
77 West Jackson Blvd. P-19J
Chicago IL 60604-3590312 353-6353
reshkin.karen@epamail.epa.gov
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U.S. EPA's web page to inform the public on mercury in medical waste and alternatives to get mercury out of medical waste.
http://www.epa.gov/ARD-R5/glakes/fact3.htm
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Agents of Change: Mercury Waste Solutions
Video available from the American Hospital Association
800-AHA-2626
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MERCURY IN THE HEALTH CARE SECTOR: THE COST OF ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS
NOVEMBER 1996
Mercury Elimination and Reduction Challenge (MERC) and Pollution Probe.
Pollution Probe
12 Madison Ave.
Toronto, ON M5R 2S1 CANADA416 926-1907
416 926-1601 faxhttp://www.web.net/pprobe/
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The Clean Air Network has a bibliography of recent works on mercury emissions, transport, and health effects. Contained in their report "Turn Up the Heat on Dirty Power." The extensive bibliography was assembled by Michael Murray of the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Resource Center.
Clean Air Network
c/o Natural Resources Defense Council
Washington DC202 289-2403
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Report on the management of Mercury-containing Lamps
(Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps)
Minnesota Office of Waste Management, January 1993
The report recommends a system for managing used fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps in such a manner that the toxic materials contained in the lamps are not placed in the solid waste stream.
Minnesota Office of Waste Management
1350 Energy Lane
St. Paul MN 55108800 657-3843
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The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District has developed a packet of materials on mercury reduction/elimination for healthcare providers.
Contact Jamie Harvie at 218 722-3336 ext. 307.
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Managing Mercury
Center For Healthcare Environmental Management (CHEM)
Healthcare Hazardous Materials Management newsletter February 1996
ecri@hsic.org
610 825-6000
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GONE FISHING:
How the Failure to Reduce Mercury Emissions Threatens Americans' Health
by Jane Melanie Williams
California Communities Against Toxics
805 256-0968
dcap@qnet.com
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Pollution Prevention for Hospitals & Medical Facilities
Prepared for Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
2501 Embarcadero Way,
Palo Alto, CA 94303Contact Ken Torke, 650 329-2421
The City of Palo Alto also has a program whereby residents can bring in mercury thermometers and receive a $5 coupon which can be used for the purchase of a non-mercury alternative.
Contact Phil Bobel, 650 329-2285