Current environmental levels of mercury are sufficient to prompt 27 states to advise pregnant women and women of reproductive age not to eat fish caught in local waters. Medical waste incineration contributes the second largest source of dioxin and mercury pollution to the American public. As a step towards the overall goal of more environmentally responsible health care, we are focusing on the concrete issue of medical waste incineration as a serious environmental public health threat. The great majority of medical waste is incinerated at virtually unregulated local hospital and regional sites that are held to pollution standards significantly less stringent, in terms of environmental controls, than other hazardous waste incinerators. Mercury in the medical waste stream is principally derived from thermometers, blood pressure gauges, batteries, and fluorescent lamps.
Much medical waste is disposed of in incinerators which lack anti-pollution controls.
The ash must still be disposed of, typically in landfills. The American Nurses Association adopted a similar resolution in June of 1997. However, most hospitals have not taken the initiative. The issue of medical waste incineration and associated environmental toxicant emission is a centerpoint for this campaign. We encourage you to join with us in becoming more actively involved as educators and advocates on both the local and national levels of this effort.