Global: HCWH Launches Mercury Elimination Guides for Hospitals in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese
HCWH – In order to scale-up the replacement of mercury–based medical devices around the world, HCWH has put together a guide that systematizes the basic steps in mercury substitution. The guide meets Short-Term Goal #7 of the WHO-HCWH Global Mercury-Free Health Care Initiative: "Develop and globally distribute a training module focused on substituting mercury-based medical devices."  more

Saudi Arabia: Dangerous Medical Waste
Saudi Gazette – Medical waste was seen disposed of in flash flood routes in Najran, posing a grave danger to the environment. Improperly disposed medical waste poses health hazard to both humans and animals.  more

International: WHO Releases New Document: Persistent Organic Pollutants: Impact on Child Health
WHO – The document is designed to inform and educate health professionals about persistent organic pollutants and their potential impact on child health and development. The document emphasizes the critical importance of primary prevention.  more

US: Raising Concerns About Chemicals in Recycled Carpet Padding
New York Times – Scientists with the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), a nongovernmental group dedicated to eliminating persistent organic pollutants (or POPs) and other toxic chemicals, recently tested recycled foam padding from six countries where it is used, and concluded that 23 of 26 samples from the United States, Canada and Hungary contained one or more flame retardants considered toxic.  more

US: Mercury in Skin-lightening Creams
Star Tribune – Health officials said they detected dangerous and illegal levels of mercury in almost a dozen types of skin-lightening products. They warned consumers to avoid all skin-lightening products unless they can be sure they're mercury-free.  more

India: Scientists Link Rising Temperatures and Humidity to the Spread of Mosquito-borne Diseases
China Dialogue – Based on regional climate projections made by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), a group of scientists from the National Institute of Malaria Research looked at the effect of climate change on malaria transmission. The IITM predicts that temperatures and rainfall intensity will increase, causing malaria to spread into new areas and affect people for a longer period every year.  more

Europe: Climate: ENVI Committee Vote Cheered By Two Major Health Groups
HCWH – The combined voices of Health Care Without Harm Europe and Health and Environment Alliance, the two leading health and environment groups working at the European level, have voiced their strong approval following the ENVI Committee vote today in support for a 30% EU reduction target in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.  more

Ghana: UK E-waste Illegally Dumped in Ghana
The Guardian – British electronic waste is being exported to poor African nations where it threatens the environment and human health, reveals joint Panorama and Environmental Investigation Agency investigation. more

Notice: This material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for research and educational purposes. Online articles and links might expire days after their release date.