Health Care Without Harm
The global healthcare industry is a major source of harm to environmental and human health. According to the US Environment Protection Agency, medical waste incinerators are the second largest known source of dioxin air emissions and contribute 10% of the mercury air emissions in the country. Additionally, the use of chlorinated chemicals—particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic—in medical goods (such as IV and blood bags, plastic tubing, and other equipment) exposes patients to serious reproductive and carcinogenic toxins. Working with a broad coalition of advocates (including hospitals, healthcare workers, environmental health activists,
faith-based investors, and health affected constituencies), Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) promotes comprehensive pollution prevention practices in the healthcare industry; supports the development and use of environmentally safe materials, technology, and products; and educates and informs healthcare institutions, providers, workers, consumers, and all affected constituencies about the environmental and public health impacts of the health care industry and solutions to its problems. NCF funds will enable HCWH to continue to engage the US healthcare industry in adopting environmentally sustainable practices and, over time, as allies in encouraging other industries to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
