IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR Wednesday, May 10, 2006 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE SUMMIT, ATLANTA, GA

Why Mercury? In its 1997 report to Congress, EPA identified medical waste incinerators as the 4th largest source of mercury into the air. According to CDC, 1 in 10 women have blood mercury levels high enough to impact fetal development In 2003, 48 states, the District of Columbia and American Samoa issued 3,094 fish advisories, 280 more than the previous year. With these additions, 35 percent of the total lake acres and 24 percent of the river miles in the nation are now under advisory.

Why Healthcare? In addition to mercury, the healthcare sector also: Produce over 2 million tons of waste per year; Consume large amount of energy and water; Build and renovate over 1 million square feet of space each year.

H2E PROGRAM As of May 8, 2006, H2E has 1181 Partners representing 6585 facilities nationwide, or nearly 20 percent of the 6000 hospitals in the U.S., including: Catholic Health Association Hospital Corporation of America Kaiser Permanente Veterans Health Administration

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 2005 Based on H2E award winner reporting alone (51 facilities), healthcare industry eliminated: 1,247,569 grams of Hg; 8,187 tons of recycling; 497 tons of hazardous waste; 3341 megawatts of electricity; Over $500,000 in cost savings!

TODAY’S PRESENTERS  Steven A. Waderich, Safety Manger, Allina Hospitals and Clinics  Catherine Zimmer, Health Care Specialist, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, UofM  Fawzi Awad, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, St. Paul – Ramsey County Dept. of Health

AFTER THIS SESSION  Healthcare Workgroup will meet today from 12:15 – 1:00 in the Valdosta Room  Cecilia DeLoach, Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) State Partnership Coordinator is here