Global: HCWH Launches Global Environmental Health Agenda for Hospitals
HCWH – Health Care Without Harm launched a new initiative designed to foster greater ecological sustainability and environmental health in the health care sector around the world. The Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda is a framework for hospitals and health systems to reduce their ecological footprint and play a leading role in addressing major environmental health challenges--such as chemical contamination, medical waste and climate change-- in the hospital setting and the broader community.  more

Philippines: HCWH and Other Envi. Health Organizations Express Alarm on Outbreak of Waste Incinerators
HCWH – Environmental justice and health networks EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, and Health Care Without Harm expressed alarm on the massive increase of waste incineration proposals and contracts signed in different areas in Mindanao at the culmination of the Anti-Incineration Road Show, a series of workshops and community consultations about waste-to-energy held in General Santos, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City.  more

India: Mercury-containing Healthcare Equipment Pose Health Risks
Times of India – With the health sector booming in the state, the quantum of mercury-containing healthcare equipment have also increased, raising the risk of health hazards due to high toxicity of the metal. A study by Toxics Link, a Delhi-based NGO working on toxic-related issues and HCWH Partner Organisation, found that Assam topped in the mercury usage in healthcare instruments among the seven northeastern states.  more

US: New Tool Could Drive Health Marketplace Toward Safer Chemicals
HCWH – ealth Care Without Harm congratulates Practice Greenhealth and supporting health care sector Group Purchasing Organizations on the release of the Standardized Environmental Questions for Medical Products, a tool to help hospitals identify, request and procure environmentally preferable medical products. The tool includes questions about chemicals of concern, recyclability and other environmental attributes..  more

UK: According to Experts, Climate change Poses a Health Threat
Sidney Morning Herald – Climate change poses an immediate and serious threat to global health and stability, as floods and droughts destroy people's homes and food supplies and increase mass migration, experts have warned. In a statement issued at a meeting in London experts urged tougher action to reduce climate change including upping the EU target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from 20 per cent by 2020 to 30 per cent from 1990 levels  more

Vienna: New Study: What Effects Might Climate Change Have On Allergies?
Medical News Today – The future impact of global warming on allergic diseases is to be evaluated in a new investigation launched in Vienna by an international team of researchers including the University of East Anglia (UEA). The project is funded by the European Commission.  more

US: Hospital Goes Green
Hudson Reporter – Bayonne Medical Center became the first hospital in the state to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Environmental Protection Agency. By using recycled materials, energy-efficient lighting, and other environmentally friendly items, the hospital hopes to reduce its carbon footprint. While the building may be more than 100 years old, there are things that can be done to make it more energy efficient, including the use of materials and cleaning products.  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.