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