The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #51266

susan wilburn, MPH, RN, American Nurses Association, 6300 South Perry Street, Seattle, WA 98118, 206-760-9449, susan.wilburn@att.net

Since 1997, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has been an active member in a campaign for environmentally responsible health care. The campaign was formed in response to the report from the EPA that medical waste incinerators were one of the leading producers of dioxin and the use of mercury products in health care resulted in environmental contamination. As the campaign sought to eliminate the use of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) products that create dioxin during combustion, ANA intervened to prevent the shifting of risk from the environment to the health care worker (HCW). Following the implementation of universal precautions and the requirement for HCW to wear gloves, a new occupational illness, latex allergy emerged. The cheapest alternative glove is composed of PVC, but vinyl gloves have poor barrier protection qualities. Alternative synthetics are available with comparable or superior barrier to latex. "Hospitals for a Healthy Environment Program" was created to reduce waste volume and toxicity in hospitals by eliminating mercury, phasing out persistent bioaccumulative toxins and substitute environmentally friendly products and processes. This paper will identify the hazards created by the health care industry and discuss the involvement of workers in identifying and implementing control measures and solutions.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Describe the potential for risk shifting in the health care environmental from patient to worker to the public (e.g. The use of safer needle devices may increase the volume of the waste stream; waste segregation may result in ergonomic hazards).
• 2.Discuss the American Hospital Association, Environmental Protection Agency, "Health Care Without Harm" and American Nurses Association "Hospital for a Healthy Environment" partnership to prevent pollution from the byproducts of health care waste and integrate occupational health solutions.
• 3.Identify solutions to protect occupational and environmental health through worker participation.

Keywords: Health Care Workers, Environmental Health Hazards

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.