B. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH SYSTEM
Contact Person: Trixie Dietrich, (313) 764-4427
The University of Michigan Health System
Safety, Building and Environmental Management
(10/4/96)
Overview of Pollution Prevention Efforts
Pollution prevention (P2) is an important goal at the University of
Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System. We are firmly
committed to the waste minimization efforts, energy conservation and the
efficient and responsible use of resources. Many departments across
campus are involved in these efforts. We believe that by working together,
we can enhance the environment in which we live and work.
The University of Michigan Health System initiated a mercury reduction
program to systematically remove mercury-containing equipment from this
facilities. This has mitigated the potential for mercury to enter the
environment by reducing the possibility of mercury escaping during
accidental equipment breakage and traditional disposal methods. As of
May 1996, 440 pounds of mercury was removed from blood pressure cuffs,
thermometers and other equipment. The mercury collected was recycled.
Evaluating mercury containing reagents from laboratories, changing big
specifications requiring mercury free equipment and providing mercury
training and education for employees among other efforts are being performed.
A fluorescent light tube recycling program has been implemented to avoid the
potential release of mercury-containing powder inside the bulbs into the
environment. Mercury reduction efforts are monitored by several quality
control measures. The mercury reduction goals are evaluated
periodically to assure continuos improvement and success.
Efforts are being coordinated cooperatively through the Safety Building and
Environmental Management Department and the Department of Occupational
Safety and Environmental Health. Some of these effort have been performed
in settlement of an enforcement action brought by the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality.
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University of Michigan Health System
- 872 beads - adult and pediatric
- Onsite clinics
- 8000 employees
- 37 clinics housed in 25 buildings
- 15 acquired practices
- These numbers are always increasing
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History
| 1992 |
Discussions began regarding replacement of Hg sphygmomanometers
- Initiated by incidence of Hg spills
- Concerns for exposure potential
- Environmental concerns for Hg in Great Lakes Program |
| 1995 |
Hospital Hg reduction efforts became a Supplemental Environmental
project (SEP) performed in settlement of an enforcement action by the MDNR.
|
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Mercury Identification
- Terrace Brochure
- Hg Pollution Prevention in Michigan
- Discussion with other health care facilities
- Surveys
- Targeted sources
- Review material Services inventory for Hg equipment
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Communication
- Written correspondence to specific groups based on identification efforts
- Written correspondence to inform staff about Hg reduction efforts
- asked for voluntary evaluation of Hg containing equipment & products
- Speaking of Safety Newsletter
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Case Studies
- Sphyg fell off wall at the clinic
- Sphyg fell of wall in the cast room
- Blood bank calibration sphygs
- Pathology fixatives
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Accomplishments
- 660 total Hg sphygmomanometers were replace with aneroid units
- Approximately 440 lbs Hg sent for recycling
- Eliminate B5 reagent from Pathology
- Eliminated Hg thermometers from Material Services inventory
- Cost effective
- More convenient
- Less hazardous
- Eliminated Hg filled esophageal devices
- Using only thimerosol free products
- Pharmacy is not dispensing Hg for Miller-Abbott tubes
- New baby kits do not contain Hg thermometers
- Using only Hg free batteries
- Change language on new equipment acquisitions requiring Hg free
if possible
- Eliminated most calibration sphygs
- Recently implemented a fluorescent light tube recycling program
- Some of the project accomplishments were performed in settlement
of an enforcement action by the MDNR
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Current Efforts/Quality Assurance Measures
- Training the offsite clinics as part of the Hazard Communication Program
- Collecting dental Hg amalgams and disposing as hazardous waste
- Testing incinerator ash prior to disposal to assure compliant Hg levels
- Sampling selected sink traps
- Hazard Surveillance Rounds
- Waste disposal - monitor billing reports
- Collecting "discovered" left over equipment
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Future Goals
- Use a substitute for Hg amalgams
- Replace barometer with Hg free alternative
- Collect Hg at the newly acquired locations
- Perform additional Hg sampling
- Conduct feasibility study for Hg containing maintenance equipment replacement
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