HCWH Blog: Global Mercury Free Health Care by 2020!

The world’s governments finalized text for a global legally binding treaty on mercury, the bio-accumulative heavy metal that is poisoning the world’s fish supply, threatening public health and the environment. Among other measures, the treaty text mandates an end to the manufacture, import and export of mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers by 2020. This is a major victory for those working to green the health sector around the world. more 

HCWH and WHO Laud Global Agreement to Phase-out Mercury Devices in Healthcare

The world’s governments have finalized text for a global legally binding treaty on mercury, the bio-accumulative heavy metal that is poisoning the world’s fish supply, threatening public health and the environment. Among other measures, the treaty text mandates an end to the manufacture, import and export of mercury thermometers and blood pressure devices (sphygmomanometers) by 2020.  more 

New breed of manager works to curb energy use, resource consumption

Excerpt: "Hospitals, because of their 24/7 operations, rank as one of the largest consumers of energy. Healthcare facilities consume more than 10% of the total energy used in U.S. commercial buildings and spend more than $8 billion a year on energy, including gas and electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Department. And healthcare facilities as a sector rank close to the top for total electricity consumption among commercial buildings. The large expenditure presents a target for sustainability officers to attack, but only if they have adequate staffing resources. "  more 

A New Prescription For the Local Food Movement

Excerpt: "Some hospitals, like St. Joe's in Ann Arbor, are seeking out local food—but for the local food movement, meeting their needs is a challenge."  more 

Mercury in Dental Amalgam and Resin-Based Alternatives

Based on current evidence,the ultimate goal of a phase-out of virtually all usage of dental mercury is recommended. This phase-out must be planned and deliberate, assuring continued emphasis on adequate restorations to prevent continued tooth decay and the potential of malnutrition in economically impoverished areas. more 

Creating a Culture of Sustainability

Sustainability seeks to balance and simultaneously optimize environmental, social and financial concerns. Sustainability in healthcare represents a particularly challenging undertaking as it necessarily encompasses the wide variety of facilities, operations and activities in a typical healthcare organization. more 

Green Cleaning in Healthcare

Green cleaning is a new, promising approach to environmental cleaning that aims at reducing harm to human health and the environment while maintaining or improving the hygiene of the healthcare environ¬ment. more