Hospital Mercury Reduction Gary Goodman Environmental Specialist Sacramento County Department of Water Quality

Road Map to Hospital Mercury Reduction Why is it a Problem? Levels in Sacramento County Hospital Levels Workplan to Reduce Mercury Overall Project Goals

Why is Mercury a Problem? Mercury can produce adverse effects in humans –Developmental problems in fetuses and children –Nervous system effects in adults Mercury can produce adverse effects in wildlife –Mercury concentrations in wildlife increase up the food chain –The highest levels are found in predatory fish and fish eating birds and mammals The Sacramento River is listed by EPA as an impaired waterway for mercury

Residential hook-up Business hook-up Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Sacramento River

Current Levels of Mercury in Sacramento County Influent to Treatment Plant –204 parts per trillion Effluent to Sacramento River –8 parts per trillion Permit Requirements for Discharge to Sacramento River –5.1 lbs per year

Levels of Mercury Coming from Hospital Facilities

Factors Contributing to Mercury in Hospital Wastewater Mercury containing equipment –Thermometers, Spyghmomemeters, Barometers,etc Age of Facility –Collection in Sumps –Collection in Plumbing Laboratory Chemicals

Workplan for Reducing Pollutant Loads to the Sacramento River Identify sources of mercury within Sacramento County Test and evaluate wastewater from subject facilities Reduce amounts of mercury discharged to Treatment Plant

Current Programs Dental Facilities Hospitals Industry Residential Community Schools and Universities

Project Goals for Hospital Program Work with DHS and hospital staff to identify sources of mercury Wastewater testing to determine actual levels of mercury Reduction of mercury levels discharged by facilities

Contact Information Gary Goodman Environmental Specialist Sacramento County