Butterworth Hospital recently hired a local environmental consultant to devise a disposal plan for mercury that will be safe and economical for the entire hospital. In addition, Stock Environmental will develop a spill response plan that is in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health care Institutions, as well as offer training on spill response, prevention and management. Educational materials about mercury, specifically the Terrene Institute brochure produced by the Health Care Sector Subgroup, have been distributed to all hospital departments, administrative personnel, and regional facilities.

Butterworth Hospital has made a commitment to reach mercury-free status, and is attempting to reach that goal by instituting a purchasing department policy stating unless there is no suitable, mercury-free alternative, no mercury-containing devices are to be purchased. This list includes thermometers, sphygmomameters, esophageal dilators and batteries. Administrative approval has been given to replace all sphygmomameters currently in use with anaeroid devices, which will speed the transition to mercury-free status. In addition, Butterworth Hospital has made a commitment to discontinue sending mercury-containing devices overseas in their humanitarian products, and is currently in the process of discontinuing sending mercury thermometers home with new mothers in the obstetrics department.

Last year two new buildings that are part of Butterworth Hospital opened. Administrative groups managing these buildings have committed them to be mercury-free. Applying the Butterworth Hospital purchasing policy concerning mercury has been difficult with office space being rented to private doctors. The challenge now lies with making the buildings 100% mercury free, in both public and private doctor facilities. The purchasing policies implemented at Butterworth has allowed the facility to explore options of recycling mercury at mercury refining centers, and look to minimize hazardous waste disposal costs. For example, fluorescent tubes are now being recycled using a mobile collection unit.

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