Mercury Reduction Best Management Practices for Mercury-containing Products in the Hospital Laboratory Chemicals

Whenever laboratories use mercury-containing chemicals, there is the potential for the release of mercury into wastewater. Once mercury in wastewater enters a wastewater treatment plant, most of it concentrates in the sludge. The sludge may either be spread on land or incinerated. Either way, the mercury in the sludge will eventually be released into the environment.   Phase out all nonessential uses of mercury in laboratories: Eliminate the use of mercury-containing compounds in all clinical, research and teaching laboratories unless there is no alternative.   Eliminate all nonessential mercury devices, such as thermometers and barometers, and replace them with mercury-free devices.   Clear laboratories and storage areas of unnecessary mercury compounds. Alternatives for mercury-containing laboratory chemicals The mercury compound in a chemical formulation may be an active ingredient, a preservative, or a contaminant introduced during the manufacture of one of the ingredients. The alternative depends on the reason that mercury is present. If a mercury compound is an active ingredient, the replacement may be a compound of a less hazardous metal. If a mercury compound is a preservative, the formulation can often be replaced by a formulation that uses a non-mercury preservative. If mercury is a contaminant, a formulation can often be found with ingredients manufactured by a different method. Examples of alternatives to mercury-containing chemicals common in a clinical laboratory are shown in the table.   Because mercury may be present in very small amounts as a preservative or contaminant, it may not be obvious whether or not a chemical reagent or stain contains mercury. Manufacturers might not list the ingredients of a reagent or stain if the formula is under copyright protection. Material Safety Data Sheets might not list mercury in a product if the formula is under copyright protection or if the amount is less than one percent. However, the contribution of many low-concentration sources accounts for a large fraction of the mercury in the wastewater stream.   The hospital purchasing agent should contact the hospital's suppliers and request that mercury-free reagents be supplied. If the usual supplier cannot provide mercury-free reagents, locate one that can. Request that all vendors disclose mercury concentration on a Certificate of Analysis. Products with no or low mercury can then be selected for purchase. The Certificate of Analysis should list mercury content in parts per billion (ppb), not as a percentage.   Wherever possible, change methodologies to processes that do not involve mercury. For chemicals that normally include a preservative, select chemicals that use a mercury-free preservative. Watch for new products. Many reagents and stains that once contained mercury have been reformulated so that they are now mercury-free.   The cost of mercury substitutes can be comparable and, in some cases, may be less than the cost of mercury-containing chemicals. Some substitutes may also carry some environmental risk, but it will probably be less than the risk associated with mercury.     Recycling/disposal of mercury-containing laboratory chemicals When the laboratory staff has training on the proper use, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, incorporate the importance of keeping mercury out of wastewater. Make the staff aware of laboratory products that are known to contain mercury. It is important that laboratory chemicals ready for recycling or disposal be kept separately from each other and not mixed. This will minimize any increase in the amount of hazardous waste generated.   If using a mercury product is essential, the mercury-contaminated waste should be collected and disposed as hazardous waste. Check with your local sewer district for information about the proper disposal of mercury-contaminated rinse water.   Even if mercury-containing chemicals are not still in use, they may still be present in storage areas and they must be disposed as hazardous waste. Contact the hospital's hazardous waste management coordinator about transporting the chemicals to the designated hazardous waste collection point. Protective clothing or debris that is contaminated with a mercury compound should be managed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state regulations.

Best Management Practices Fever Thermometers Sphygmomanometers Gastrointestinal Tubes Dental Amalgam and Mercury Laboratory Chemicals Pharmaceutical Products Cleaners and Degreasers Batteries Lamps Electrical Equipment Thermostat Probes in Gas Appliances Industrial Thermometers Pressure Gauges Plumbing Spills Storage Areas Hospital Employee Health and Safety Related Topics: Case Studies Why is mercury a problem? How to establish mercury pollution prevention in your hospital. Bibliography

Best Management Practices for Mercury-containing Products in the Hospital   Mercury Reduction   R E G I S T E R     G L O S S A R Y     F E E D B A C K     S I T E  M A P     H O M E

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