Health Care Work Group
The Coalition’s health care work group works to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in health care, in order to create the safest healing environment possible for patients, staff and families, and to benefit the public health of the broader community.
Currently, our core work is focused on:
- Phasing out PVC medical devices containing DEHP
- Adopting alternatives to products containing brominated flame retardants
- Engaging health professionals on advocacy efforts to eliminate harmful environmental exposures to protect and improve children’s health and public health
- Working toward a comprehensive chemicals policy
Work group Leaders:
Nancy Dickeman, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, nancyd@wpsr.org
Karen Bowman, Washington State Nurses Association, karen@karenbowman.com
or contact Margaret Shield, Coalition Coordinator at mshield@toxicfreelegacy.org or (206) 632-1545 ext 123.
CleanMed 2008 Mark your calendars!
CleanMed 2008 is a national conference focusing on environmentally preferable purchasing in health care. It features health care leaders and experts across the country taking steps within the health care industry to improve human and environmental health. The conference takes place May 20-22, 2008 at the Pittsburgh Hilton. www.cleanmed.org.
Reducing the Use of PVC Medical Devices Containing DEHP <learn more>
Brominated Flame Retardants / PBDEs <learn more>
Presentations for Health Professionals
Pollution in People
Please contact mshield@toxicfreelegacy.org to schedule a presentation regarding this Washington State body burden study, which documented the presence of toxic chemicals in the study’s 10 participants from western and eastern Washington. www.pollutioninpeople.org.
Phasing out PVC/DEHP in Health Care
Learn about the health impacts from DEHP exposures, the public health concerns with PVC materials, and ways that hospitals regionally and nationally are moving to safer alternatives.
Please contact TFL steering committee members Nancy Dickeman at Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, nancyd@wpsr.org; or Karen Bowman with the Washington State Nurses Association, Karen@karenbowman.com, to schedule a presentation or grand rounds on this issue.Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Advocacy
Join the TFL Coalition in our work to protect children’s health and eliminate all forms of PBDEs. As a health professional, your voice is critically important in this debate.
To learn more about PBDEs, and ways you can be involved in our state efforts, please contact lvaleriano@watoxics.org.Coming Winter 07! In Harm’s Way presentations for health providers
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility will be providing hour-long In Harm’s Way presentations to health professionals. These presentations provide the latest science regarding impacts of environmental toxins on child development, and guidance materials for health professionals to incorporate prevention of toxic exposures into their practices.
Please contact nancyd@wpsr.org to schedule a presentation.
Related Resolutions by Health/Public Health Associations
on Toxic Chemicals & Safer Chemicals Policies
Pub Hub: Environmental Health Nursing Research Archive
hosted by the University of Washington Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Program
ANA Web Site: Occupational Health - Hazardous Chemicals
