However, there are currently no regulations restricting the discharge of mercury down the drain at medical institutions and laboratories. Therefore, it is up to the individual facilities to be responsible and help keep mercury out of their waste streams and thus out of the environment. Accidental spills and waste from medical facilities contribute in some measure to the fate of mercury in the environment. Therefore, eliminating smaller amounts of mercury will have a beneficial effect on the environment. This program will help you design a mercury pollution prevention program at your facility.
Guidance is also available from state and federal agencies.
Some states even have waste reduction requirements for hospitals. Still, your program will differ from others in your state, depending on local conditions and because voluntary efforts are often more flexible than regulatory approaches. Identify the key players at your facility. Engage these people as a team to spearhead your program. Their careful planning will ensure that your program is unique - notwithstanding that all programs may have similar strategies and goals.