Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has instituted a wide range of mercury pollution prevention measures to meet the city's strict water guidelines of 0.5 ppb. Initially, Quest Diagnostics isolated manufacturer contributions of mercury within its waste water system by testing its list of reagents for mercury content. Manufacturer might not list mercury in their Material Safety Data Sheets because the amount is so small; therefore Quest Diagnostics did not know the sources of mercury until test results were finalized. Once the sources where determined, a formally mercury reduction policy to continually decrease mercury in its effluent, as well as evaluating mercury content of the reagents it purchases, was instituted. If the vendor cannot provide mercury-free reagents, Quest Diagnostics will locate a vendor that does or, where possible, change methodologies to processes that do not involve mercury; if the purchase of mercury-free reagents is not possible, waste is segregated. This policy was submitted by the laboratory to the city, and is updated quarterly with the report sent to Wyoming semiannually.

In addition, Quest Diagnostics separates their wastes and packages them to send to the correct hazardous waste facility. Test spickets are inserted into 100% of all laboratory drains to regularly test the material being released. If the tests are above the limits, the drain traps are replaced, the material is handled as hazardous waste, and investigation begins as to the source of the contamination.

The staff and employees of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated service 3,000 patients per day. Regular updates on mercury reduction are shared with employees at quarterly meetings. This keeps them informed of the actions and policies of the laboratory. Employees are given the required Occupational Safety and Health training, additional training in bloodborne pathogens, and are broken up into ôrisk groups in relation to where they work and the chemicals that are handled. A formal chemical-hygiene plan is also in effect for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated.

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