Environmental health in the health care setting

The health care industry is a major contributor to environmental pollution. Through the processes of waste disposal, including incineration, the health care industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental dioxin and mercury. Mercury contamination of our waterways has created the conditions by which a significant number of fish are sufficiently mercury-laden so as to pose a human health threat. Additionally, there are products and processes within the hospital that create health risks for the patients and health care staff. There are a number of positive actions that nurses can take to address the health threats posed by these exposures. These actions include: purchasing environmentally preferable products, implementing pollution prevention actions within the health care setting, and learning more about environmental health.