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Training on Effective Bio Medical Waste Management
and
Mercury Free Health Care System in Gujarat
Date: Date: Date: Date: 22222222ndndndnd to 24to 24to 24to 24thththth May May May May 2012201220122012
PlacePlacePlacePlace: Rajkot, Jamnagar: Rajkot, Jamnagar: Rajkot, Jamnagar: Rajkot, Jamnagar
Training organized by:
Paryavaraniya Vikas Kendra, Rajkot
Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar
Toxics Link, New Delhi
Training Supported by: IPEN(International POPs Elimination Network)
Background:
Mercury emissions into the environment are transported regionally and globally in the
atmosphere and its compounds have numerous and well-documented adverse effects
on human and animal health. Most frighteningly, it can cross the placental barrier and
enter the foetus, lowering IQs and damaging nervous systems. Pregnant women,
children, nurses, industrial workers, dental assistants, students using mercury in school
labs, as well as those of us using dental mercury fillings are at high risk.
Many of us may recall having played
with mercury as school kids. Its silvery
white shimmer and the ability of its
glistening mass to break into smaller
drops and come back together had a
magical attraction. But few of us know
about the deadly effects of this liquid
metal. The dangers or hazards of mercury
exposure are now being recognized
globally, particularly its role as a health
hazard to the medical staff. Though there
are some natural sources of mercury,
humans are responsible for nearly two-
thirds of the mercury currently
circulating in our environment. Hospitals
are not the top source of mercury release in the environment but their large variety of
uses for mercury-containing equipment/items pose dangers to a greater extent as
compared to other sources. In health care facilities it can be found in products such as
thermometers, blood pressure instruments, gastrointestinal tubes, dilation and feeding
tubes, laboratory chemicals, dental amalgams, batteries and fluorescent lamps etc.
Following issues are related with mercury:
• India is the second largest user of mercury in the world, after China.
• Mercury is not merely an industrial hazard but a threat in healthcare units as
well.
• Mercury has been discovered to be the most potent neuro-nephro toxin.
• The awareness levels of the hazards of mercury are very low.
• The hospital staff and nurses are absolutely unaware of the dangers of mercury
spills and are hence ignorant of the steps required to clean them up.
• There is no home safety in the country. Most of the homes do not keep mercury
thermometers and other medical equipment out of reach from children.
Paryavaraniya Vikas Kendra,Rajkot has joined hands with Toxics Link, New Delhi
and Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar to work on the issue of mercury
free health care system in the state of Gujarat.
As a part of the dissemination of information, Paryavaraniya Vikas Kendra, Rajkot in
partnership with Toxics Link and Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat organized a
series of workshops on “Mercury free Health Care Sector in Gujarat” on May 22nd May
to 24th May 2012. These programs are supported by the IPEN (International PoPs
Elemination Network). The programs were attended by a remarkable gathering from
various departments. The participants of the workshop include the representatives of
Pollution Control Boards, Doctors, Health Care Professionals, Educational and Research
Institutes. The overall objective of the workshop was to sensitize the issue of mercury in
health care sector in the region by providing a platform to all the stakeholders for a
healthy discussion, knowledge and experiences sharing. The workshop led the major
emphasis on the following key areas:
1 Mercury Toxicity in health care sector
2 Occupational health hazard of Mercury
3 Role and responsibilities of important stakeholders
4 Mercury phase out plan and challenges
5 Mercury policy and global initiative
In the inaugural session audience was briefed about Paryavaraniya Vikas Kendra,
Gujarat Pollution Control Board and Toxics Link and its campaign for mercury phase
out in health care sector. Mr. Tushar Pancholi of Paryavaraniay Vikas Kendra explained
that the objective is to sensitize and bring awareness about Mercury in healthcare
establishments. Mercury is highly toxics. In healthcare establishments we use mercury
majorly in thermometers and sphygmomanometers.
Mr. Rahul Thumpi and Ms. Kankana Das from Toxics link in their presentation
explained about the various forms of mercury and its circulation in the environment.
Further they emphasized upon the problems mercury can give and also why mercury
is internationally into the picture. They shared on the issues (cost, lack of mandatory
standardization for alternate products, issues related to storage of surplus mercury) of
mercury phase-out from the healthcare sector. Mr. Rahul talked about the global
movement on mercury in which UNEP, WHO-HCWH etc has taken initiatives and
shared examples from across the world who have shifted towards mercury free.
Ms. Kankana Das said that mercury is a
global problem. Mercury is a non-
persistent metal. It can travel from one
country to another country. It causes
havoc in the environment that is why
there are so many global efforts to
eliminate mercury. Not to allow it to enter
in the environment and to eradicate
complete use of mercury in day-to-day
equipments.
On the issue of Management of
Mercury waste participants were
introduced to some of the key points.
Such as, Mercury- contaminated waste
should not be mixed with other
biomedical waste or with general
waste. It should not be swept down the
drain. It should be disposed off at a
hazardous waste facility or given to a
mercury-based equipment
manufacturer. Not to handle mercury
with bare hands and as far as possible. Jewellery should be removed at the time of
handling mercury. After handling mercury, hands must be carefully washed before
eating or drinking. Appropriate personal protective equipment (rubber gloves,
goggles/face shields and clothing) should be worn while handling Hg.
Short films by Toxics Link were shown to the participants. These films are:
• Mercury fumes
• Mercury spill management
• Mercury Free Hospitals in India
Organisation of the program was actively supported by:
• Govt. Nursing College, Rajkot
• Distromed Bio Pvt. Ltd. Rajkot
• Shri G.G. Hospital, Jamnagar
• GPCB, Regional office, Jamnagar
• Shri H.J. Doshi Hospital, Rajkot
Schedule of the Programs organized:
22nd May 2012 at H.J. Doshi Hospital, Rajkot.
23rd May 2012 at Shri G.G. Hospital, Jamnagar.
23rd May 2012 at Govt. Nursing College, Rajkot
Training Material distributed:
• Lurking Menace: Mercury in the Health Care System by Toxics Link
• Posters translated in Gujarati from original prepared by Toxics Link
• Mercury Flyers
• Towards a safer work place
• Understanding and simplifying bio medical waste management
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