Module 4. Mercury Use in Health Care Settings. - For governments -

Transcription

1 Module 4 Mercury Use in Health Care Settings - For governments -

2 Learning Objectives Identify main mercury issues in the health care sector context Understand common mercury issues within the health care sector Identify options to address mercury issues in health care 4

3 Toxic Mercury Mercury and its compounds are recognized as highly toxic substances Mercury s toxic effects include: Harm to the central nervous system Neurological and behavioral disorders Kidney and thyroid problems Mercury is more likely to adversely affect children than adults 2

4 Why is Mercury an Issue? Mercury is toxic to ourselves and to our environment Yet, mercury is used in hospitals and dental offices all over the world People are exposed to mercury should a mercury containing instrument break, leak or spill 3

5 Mercury in Hospitals Mercury is found in thermometers In sphygmomanometers In cantor tubes, esophageal dilators, feeding tubes and Miller Abbot tubes 6

6 Mercury in Hospitals And in some vaccines Multi vs. single dose No proven harm Benefits vs. cost of vaccine 7

7 Is Mercury in Other Medicines? Mercury is sometimes found in herbal products, dietary supplements and other compounds Some textbooks erroneously report that mercury can be detoxified 7

8 What Can Governments do to Reduce Mercury? For every mercury containing device in the hospital, there usually exists a cost effective and mercury free alternative 8

9 What Can Governments do to Reduce Mercury? Create national assessments Promote voluntary measures Raise awareness 8

10 What Can Governments do to Reduce Mercury? Promote training Require the labeling of all mercurycontaining medicines Regulate the import, export and sale of mercury 9

11 How Can Governments Keep the Public Safe? Regulate the import and export of mercury containing health care products Educate the public and health care workers about the dangers of these products Develop safe storage facilities 11

12 How Should We Dispose of Mercury? 12

13 Mercury in Dentistry 13

14 How and Why Mercury is Used in Dentistry In 2005 some 270 tonnes of mercury were used in dental amalgam worldwide Dental amalgam is a cheap and easy method used by dentists to fill in cavities The amalgam contains roughly 50% mercury 14

15 What Are the Risks? Mercury containing waste released from dental office damage the environment The mercury in the amalgam may pose a risk to the person Limited information Removing the amalgam may do more harm than good 15

16 Minimize Mercury s Toxic Effects in Patients Promote good dental hygiene in patients Follow steps to safely and properly dispose of mercury containing waste Use alternatives to dental amalgams whenever possible 16

17 What Are the Main Messages? For every mercury containing device, there is a mercury free alternative Regulatory measures and other steps, if properly implemented and enforced, can reduce mercury demand Dentists should take proper measures to safeguard staff, patients and the local water supply from mercury contamination 17

18 Additional Resources Healthcare Environmental Resource Center: Health Care Without Harm: Patient Brochure Sustainable Hospitals Project: Mercury in Health Care Fact Sheet: World Federation of Dentists Mercury in Vaccines: Or contact 18