The Mercury Challenge

An Opportunity for Ohio Hospitals.Ohio EPA Office of Pollution

Prevention& CGH Environmental Strategies, Inc.

The Mercury Challenge• A joint program

– Ohio Hospital Association(OHA)

– OHA member hospitals

– The Ohio EPA Office ofPollution Prevention

Goals

• Virtually eliminate mercury and/or mercury containing waste

by 2005.

Why Mercury?

• Mercury is the most common reason for

fish advisories.

• 40 states have fish advisories for one or more bodies of water.

Why Take the Challenge?

• Protect human health by reducing occupational exposures and releases of mercury to the air, water, and land

• Avoid costs associated with the use of mercury such as disposal or recycling

Why Take the Challenge?

• U.S. EPA and the American Hospital Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June 1998 with several voluntary goals including virtual elimination of mercury from health care waste streams by 2005.

What is the Ohio Healthy Hospital Mercury

Challenge?

• A state wide initiative to encourage OHIO hospitals to virtually eliminate mercury from their facilities.

• The Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio EPA Office of Pollution Prevention signed a memorandum of understanding to initiate this in 1999.

How can my hospital participate ?Easy! 1-2-3

• 1- Conduct a baseline inventory to determine what mercury containing items are present in your facility

How can my hospital participate ?Easy! 1-2-3

• 2-Set mercury reduction goalsDevelop and submit quantifiable mercury goals for reduction

How can my hospital participate ?Easy! 1-2-3

• 3- Develop an action plan and track your progress

How can my hospital participate ?

Easy! • Register for the program!

Fill out the Program registration at the end of the Mercury Challenge handbook and submit it to the Ohio EPA

• Call Ellen Miller at 614-644-2817 for more information

Hints for Developing Your Mercury Reduction

Program

• Develop a Team

Hints for Developing Your Mercury Reduction

Program

• Training and Communication

Hints for Developing Your Mercury Reduction

Program

• Good Housekeeping and Management

• Interim management of residual mercury– spill protocols– drain trap clean outs

Hints for Developing Your Mercury Reduction

Program • Proper handling and disposal of

mercury products– thermometers– sphygmomanometers– esophageal dilators– light tubes– batteries

Hints for Developing Your Mercury Reduction

Program • Selecting mercury-free products

– thermometers– sphygmomanometers– esophageal dilators– light tubes– batteries

Keeping Mercury Out

• Work with purchasing to set procurement specifications

• Coordinate with gift shop and public relations and pharmacy to cease sale or distribution of mercury containing items

Measuring Success

• Track mercury items eliminated and quantify amount of mercury recovered

• Audit to verify elimination of mercury from facility

Rewards

• A certificate of Recognition

• Inclusion in the mercury challenge participant directory so you can network with colleagues

• Inclusion in Ohio EPA press releases to regional newspapers, trade journals, and other publications

Rewards

• The opportunity to market your facility as an Institutional Participant in the Mercury Challenge Program in your public relations and marketing materials