P2 in healthcare

The healthcare professions are of particular interest to the pollution prevention program because they comprise some of the largest controllable sources of mercury to the sanitary sewer system. Because of their size, hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities can produce enormous amounts of waste. Product substitution and waste minimization at medical facilities can make a big difference.

Who is WEP's target audience for healthcare P2?

We are primarily targeting large healthcare providers such as hospitals and nursing homes and dental facilities.

Examine this publication: “Environmental and Safety Advances for Health Care Facilities: A Compendium of Best Practices in Mercury Awareness, Waste Management, and Safety Innovations”

How is WEP promoting P2 at these facilities?

We are engaged in education and outreach efforts with these facilities. For example, in May 2001, Onondaga County and Bristol-Myers Squibb sponsored a conference entitled "Communities Committed to the Environment: A Conference for the Health Care Industry on Mercury Awareness, Waste Management, and Safety Innovations." The conference focused on pollution prevention and environmental health and safety issues facing the health care industry. As a result of the conference, we published a manual entitled "Environmental and Safety Advances for Health Care Facilities—A compendium of Best Practices in Mercury Awareness, Waste Management, and Safety Innovations."

We also participated in a healthcare task force, spearheaded by the NYSDEC Pollution Prevention Unit. The purpose of this task force is to identify and break down barriers that are preventing health care institutions from taking P2 to the next level.

What about x-rays?

Silver-containing wastewater from the developing of x-ray films are included in our Silver Code of Management Practices program. The majority of dental offices and many doctors offices have x-ray machines that have the potential to discharge silver-containing wastewater to the sewer system. These facilities are required to participate in WEP's Silver CMP program to meet County limits for silver in wastewater.

Additional online resources

Hospitals for a Healthy Environment
Sustainable Hospitals
For additional P2 information, please contact Dave Colbert, 315-435-2260.