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 of Pollution 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! Conduct a baseline inventory to determine what mercury containing items are present in your facility

How can my hospital participate ? Easy! Set mercury reduction goals Develop and submit quantifiable mercury goals for reduction

How can my hospital participate ? Easy! 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 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