Recent research studies have revealed a large number of contaminants that are in everyday use without most of us being aware of the threat that they pose to the environment and human health. Mercury is one such element. It is widely used in a variety of instruments and objects of daily use.
How would you react to the information that a regular thermometer can cause serious health problems to you or a pregnant woman in your house? Or on being told that a dental clinic near your home may be releasing this deadly heavy metal - an established neurotoxin - into the environment, through its waste discharge.
The present healthcare system relies on a host of mercury-based equipments. In a list of 5,000 medical products, compiled by a technical assistance organisation, over 15 per cent contain mercury. It has also been revealed that mercury is present in the indoor air of a typical healthcare setting. It gets introduced into the ambient environment of healthcare facilities through breakage of mercury-laden instruments. This places those working and visiting such facilities at serious health risk through inhalation and exposure.
Mercury usage in healthcare system is totally replaceable. All that is needed is greater awareness and willingness on the part of policymakers and healthcare administration to implement strategies for its reduction and replacement.
We invite you to a discussion on the use of mercury in healthcare settings, its lethal environmental / health impacts and the way out.
Presentation by Prashant Pastore, Senior Programme Coordinator, Toxics Free Healthcare.
Panelist:
Dr. T.K. Joshi, Project Director, Centre for Occupational & Environmental Health, Lok Nayak Hospital
Dr. Vijay Agarwal, Director-Administration, Max Super Speciality Hospital.
Moderator:
Satish Sinha, Whiff of Death: Mercury in healthcare, Chief Programme Coordinator, Toxics Link.
| Date: 21st February 2007, Wednesday | Time: 6.30 p.m. | ||
| |||
