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Department of Ecology Press Release - January 9, 2006
06-005
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Hospital Association has agreed to partner with the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) to help reduce the amounts of hazardous mercury used in hospital equipment, and decrease amounts of mercury waste they generate throughout the state.
In an agreement between the Washington State Hospital Association and Ecology, Washington hospitals will work to incorporate comprehensive guidelines for handling mercury products. The pact covers the use and handling of products and equipment that contain mercury or produce mercury waste, aims to reduce the use of mercury and the generation of mercury waste, and keeps mercury out of public water systems.
Mercury is a known toxic material that builds up in body tissue. Mercury exposure can lead to learning disabilities and damage to the heart and blood vessels in unborn fetuses and young children. In adults, exposure to mercury may result in problems in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.
"This agreement is another positive step in our campaign to help prevent mercury waste from being created and going into our environment," said Darin Rice, manager of Ecology's hazardous waste program. "We have already made great headway through a similar agreement with the dental industry to reduce and recover mercury waste in Washington. Now, our hospitals are following suit."
Under the dental industry agreement, more than 90 percent of the state's dentists have installed mercury separators. "The Washington State Dental Association was pleased to be a leader among health professions in addressing environmental concerns," said Dr. Lawrence R. Lawton, past president of the association and chair of its task force on dental amalgam.
Hospitals, too, appear to be eager to help do their part, Rice said.
"Washington hospitals have been reducing the use of mercury-based products over the last several years," said Robb Menaul, senior vice president of the Washington State Hospital Association. "This agreement will encourage further reductions through education and information sharing."
The agreement with the hospitals will address equipment that contains mercury, such as blood pressure gauges and other measuring instruments, and solid waste that contains mercury.
Under the plan, Ecology will survey and visit hospitals regarding their needs and procedures and then offer guidance in reducing mercury use and waste generation. Solutions might include: replacing outdated equipment and products with mercury-free alternatives and starting practices that cut down on the amount of mercury waste generated.
The agreement takes effect immediately and continues through June 2007.
Hospitals and dental offices represent two of three industries in Washington that agree to voluntarily reduce mercury. Expected soon is the state's agreement with the Auto Recyclers of Washington and auto manufacturers focusing on mercury switches in automobiles. The state hopes an agreement will spur proper removal and disposal of the switches before cars are crushed or shredded at the end of their use.
"Through the agreements, we will work with these industries to find ways to shift to less hazardous practices, reduce solid waste and find alternatives to mercury-containing products," Rice said. "When all is said and done, there will be less mercury in the environment, and that's the important point."
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Media Contact: Caitlin Cormier, public information manager, 360-407-6149
For more information:
The agreement is online at:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/mercury/hospitals/hospital_mou.html
Ecology's
mercury chemical action plan Web site:
http://www.mercurymess.org
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
