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Prevailing practices in health care have become an important
source of environmental pollution and potential harm to health.
Mercury, other heavy metals, and endocrine disrupters are present
in many health care products and threaten the health of patients,
workers, and communities. Incineration of medical wastes can
produce dioxin1 and disperse this toxin as well as heavy metals
into the atmosphere.
Both dioxin and mercury are persistent, bioaccumulative toxins
that pose threats to humans and the environment. According to
the EPA's 1994 Dioxin Reassessment, the average dioxin level in
Americans is now "at or approaching" levels that cause health
effects - effects that may include cancer, birth defects, and
damage to the immune, neurological, and hormonal systems. Dioxin
is formed as a by-product of several processes, including the
incineration of wastes containing chlorinated materials such as
PVC (polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic). PVC is used
extensively in medical care, especially in disposable products
such as intravenous tubing, ID bracelets, and blood bags. Many
hospitals incinerate PVC-containing materials and heavy metals,
including mercury. Medical waste incinerators thus burn
particularly high amounts of PVC and contribute to the presence
of dioxin, mercury, and other heavy metals in the environment.
Plasticizers, such as phthalates, are used in PVC plastics and
are thought to mimic the effects of hormones such as estrogen.
These substances have unproven but potentially harmful effects to
reproductive systems.
Other materials previously thought to be safe, such as latex, are
a growing problem in health care. It has been estimated that 8%
to 12% of regularly-exposed health care workers are sensitive to
latex. (NIOSH, 1997) [NIOSH Alert: Preventing Allergic
Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace. National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Cincinnati, Ohio. Publication Number 97-135, June 1997.]
Severe reactions to latex, such as shock, are an increasing
concern.
1
The term dioxin is used here as a generic term that includes
two classes of chemicals: 75 compounds known as chloro dibenzo
dioxins, seven of which are highly toxic (including 2,3,7,8 TCDD,
possibly the most carcinogenic chemical known) and 135 compounds
known as furans, ten of which are highly toxic.
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Related Topics:
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Are there cost-effective steps that can reduce harmful practices?
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How will regulations cause hospitals to change materials management practices?
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Are there any tools that I can use to identify materials management problems in my hospital?
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