Preventing Mercury Pollution

G. Bronson Methodist Hospital (Michigan, August 1995)

Capacity: 414 beds

Educating the staff at Bronson Methodist Hospital, including the proper use of mercury-containing devices, eliminates breakages, and the proper procedures to follow in case of a breakage, has helped to decrease mercury from its system. In addition, instituting a purchasing policy to ban the purchase of mercury-containing items, if an alternative exists, has been formalized. A company that purchases the mercury-containing devices from the hospital has been located. Batteries that contain mercury are in the process of being phase out and replaced with mercury-free batteries. Sphygmomanometers containing mercury are being replaced with aneroid devices throughout the facility.

Bronson is also working in conjunction with Kalamazoo's waste-water department to remain below their mercury discharge detection limit of 0.5 parts per billion, and to further decrease their concentration to 0.3 parts per billion. The hospital has monitored its systems, located areas to clean up, and has since decreased its emissions significantly.

Bronson's work in mercury was recognized by Kalamazoo with the first annual Industry Excellence Award for having the best mercury minimization results of all the significant industrial users discharging to the Reclamation Plant.


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