December 2000

SALE OF MERCURY FEVER THERMOMETERS BANNED IN NH
On June 20, 2000, Governor Jeanne Shaheen signed a bill regulating mercury-added products in a special signing ceremony at the State House. House Bill 1418 was created to reduce exposure to mercury and help further efforts to eliminate mercury-containing products from the solid waste stream. With the signing, New Hampshire became the first state in the country to enact a statewide ban on the sale of mercury fever thermometers without a prescription. The ban becomes effective on July 1, 2001.

The bill also bans the sale of mercury-containing novelty items and limits the sale of elemental mercury to a few specific purposes. It also requires purchasers of elemental mercury for medical, dental or research purposes to sign a statement regarding its proper use, storage and disposal. The NH Department of Environmental Services has developed a fact sheet that explains the bill and provides a link to the actual legislation. To see it, go to www.des.state.nh.us/factsheets/hw/hw-21.htm.


PVC MEDICAL PRODUCTS: SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Last July, a scientific panel of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) released findings from its study regarding the toxicity of DEHP, a softening agent found in medical products made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), such as IV tubing and breathing apparatus. The panel determined that DEHP poses a reproductive hazard, particularly for infants who receive many medical interventions early in life.

Health Care Without Harm has recently released a report that includes the NTP findings called Neonatal Exposure to DEHP and Opportunities for Prevention that documents a newborn's potential for multiple exposures to DEHP-containing PVC medical devices when receiving medical treatment, and the availability of alternatives. If you would like a copy of this report contact Debbie Augustine at daugustine@nhha.org, or visit HCWH's website at www.noharm.org.

Something else to consider with PVC medical products are the toxic emissions created called dioxins when PVCs are burned. These toxins can accumulate in food and water supplies and ultimately, our bodies. Dioxins are extraordinarily potent poisons that can cause cancer, even at very low exposure levels. Other health concerns include reproductive and developmental effects as well as effects to the immune system. Children are particularly vulnerable to these compounds.

The NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) recently initiated a strategy focused on reducing dioxin emissions in the state. The goals are to identify the sources of dioxin emissions, formulate specific recommendations to reduce its releases and educate the public about its dangers. "As we did with mercury, we are actively pursuing a strategy to reduce the exposure of New Hampshire citizens to these highly toxic substances," said DES Commissioner Robert Varney.

Since PVC is a larger component of hospital waste than it is of other solid waste streams, finding alternatives now to PVC-containing plastic gloves, IV and plasma bags, and excessive medical supply packaging, to name a few, will help hospitals stay ahead of any possible legislation resulting from NH's Dioxin Strategy. We'll keep you posted as developments occur. In the meantime, to learn more about dioxin and the health care industry, contact Debbie Augustine for the educational video, First Do No Harm. To find out how to learn more about alternative products, read on*.


DON'T MISS "CLEAN MED" 2001 CONFERENCE

Mark your calendars now for May 4th and 5th, for Clean Med 2001, an International Conference on Environmentally Preferable Medical Products. The goals of the conference will be to accelerate the development of cleaner, safer, and high quality medical products and to create a forum to discuss the performance of alternative products with buyers of healthcare products, vendors, practitioners and university researchers at the international level.

The conference will focus on safer products for workers, mercury-free and PVC-free products, reprocessed and reusable products and green building products. It will be held in Boston at the Colonnade Hotel. Both NHHA and the Foundation for Healthy Communities have signed on as supporters of this important program. Stay tuned for more details.

SWAPPING THEIR MERCURY AWAY

Last June, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital held a thermometer swap for its employees during its annual safety fair. Environmental Services Supervisor, Allan Crandall, arranged for 100 digital thermometers to be donated from local pharmacies, including Wal Mart and Shop and Save for the event. Employee response was overwhelming and all 100 of the thermometers were exchanged. The mercury thermometers were later picked up for recycling. WDH is presently 86% mercury free facility-wide and continues to strive towards its goal of virtual elimination. The hospital is an active participant in the New England Environmental Protection Agency's "Partners for Change" Mercury Challenge program.

MERCURY CHALLENGE 2000 DEADLINE REMINDER

Speaking of the EPA's "Partners for Change" Mercury Challenge, there's still time for your hospital to apply to become a 2000 Partner. Why not apply and be recognized for your past, current or planned mercury reduction efforts? Contact Janet Bowen at 617-918-1795 or BOWEN.JANET@epamail.epa.gov for an application. Applications are due by January 1, 2001.

H2E NOW ON LINE

Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E), the cooperative effort between the American Hospital Association and the Environmental Protection Agency now has a web site. The primary goals of the agreement call for virtual mercury elimination by 2005 and total waste volume reduction of 50% by 2010. To download a Comprehensive Plan for Virtual Mercury Elimination, along with information about Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, Environmental Accounting, and other topics related to improving the environmental performance of hospitals go to http://www.h2e-online.org/.

A CHANCE FOR YOUR HOSPITAL TO SHINE!

Attention Mercury Warriors and others working to reduce waste or further pollution prevention efforts: The NH Department of Environmental Services Pollution Prevention Program is now accepting applications for the Seventh Annual Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention. The award recognizes businesses and organizations that have successfully reduced or eliminated wastes at their source.

Applicants must be in compliance with state and federal environmental laws, and their pollution prevention efforts must be voluntary. Projects will be evaluated based on reduction/elimination, direct reuse and recycling of wastes; the measurement of success; and level of commitment and leadership in pollution prevention. Winners will receive a hand-cut New Hampshire granite trophy, congratulations from the Governor, and public recognition in press releases and trade papers.

Applications are due by January 19, 2001. Contact Sara Johnson at (800) 273-9469 for more info and an application, or visit the DES website at www.des.state.nh.us/nhppp/nh01003.htm. This award is an excellent way for your hospital to be recognized for its good work. Just ask the folks at Concord Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center who both won an award in 1999. So good luck and keep up the good work!