Global: New Study Analyzes Handling and Disposal of Mercury Containing Equipment in Educational and Health Facilities
HCWH – HCWH partner organization, AGENDA, based in Tanzania, carried out a baseline survey on mercury use in healthcare facilities and schools.The project counted with the participation of 56 schools and 43 healthcare facilities covering the whole country and measured the level of awareness of the effects of mercury to the environment and human health.  more

Paraguay: Training Session on Management and Classification of Hospital Waste
Diario Vanguardia – Hospital officials from the President Franco District were trained on management and classification of hospital waste. About 20 people participated in this training session and more are planned to be organized to reach the total of staff members in hospitals and health centers from the country.  more (in spanish)

Nigeria: Phasing Out Mercury Use
The Independent Online – The Federal Government has been called upon to give immediate priority attention to the environment by phasing out mercury in products either manufactured or imported to Nigeria. SRADev Nigeria, an environmental health research and developmental non-governmental organisation urged the Federal Ministry of Health to urgently key into the Global Initiative for Mercury-Free Health Care by establishing pilot hospitals in each geo-political zones nationwide.  more

Chennai: Project To Phase Out Mercury Use in Private Healthcare Organisations
The Hindu Times – The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has launched a project to phase out use of mercury in private healthcare organisations. The project is based on a study done by the United Nations Development Programme on disposal of biomedical waste in developing countries. A dozen private healthcare institutions, including hospitals, dental clinics and blood banks in the city, are part of a project to replace outdated equipment.  more

China: Taiwan's Food Market Hit Hard by DEHP Crisis
Channel News Asia – Taiwan's food crisis continues to snowball as more products have tested positive for DEHP. Food makers are hit the hardest with recalls and falling sales. Authorities estimate the economic losses should be contained within 20 per cent of Taiwan's food market but analysts fear this is only the tip of the iceberg.  more

International: WHO Releases Policy Briefing on Health Co-Benefits of Climate Change Mitigation
WHO – WHO's Health in the Green Economy series is reviewing the evidence about expected health impacts of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies in light of mitigation options for key economic sectors. The aim is to propose important health co-benefits for sector and health policy-makers, and for consideration in the next round of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) mitigation reviews.  more

Europe: New Report on Low Carbon Buildings In The Health Care Sector
Low Carbon Health Care – A new State of the Art Report on Low Carbon Buildings in the Health Care Sector has been prepared to disseminate some of the initial findings of the LCB-HEALTHCARE project. The report commences with a contextual overview of the European healthcare infrastructure, which highlights the complexity and diversity across Europe and provides an indicator of the scale of the sector’s carbon footprint.  more

UK: The Environment is Good For Our Health
UK National Ecosystem Assessment – A report by the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) says the health benefits of merely living close to a green space are worth up to £300 per person per year. The NEA report claims that the UK's parks, lakes, forests and wildlife are worth billions of pounds to the economy and that their health benefits are particularly important.  more

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