Fwd: PANUPS: Hospitals Spray Dangerous Pesticides

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PANUPS: Hospitals Spray Dangerous Pesticides

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 10:52:43 -0800

 

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P A N U P S

Pesticide Action Network Updates Service

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Hospitals Spray Dangerous Pesticides

 

December 22, 2003

 

A survey of top U.S. hospitals finds many of these institutions regularly using

toxic pesticides, despite the fact that a large number of their patients may be

especially vulnerable to the toxic effects. " Healthy Hospitals: Controlling

Pests Without Harmful Pesticides, " published in November 2003 by Health Care

Without Harm (HCWH) and Beyond Pesticides, reports on the survey, which was

conducted in 2001.

 

All hospitals responding to the survey use chemical pesticides inside and/or

outside their facilities. Of the 37 pesticides most commonly used, 16 are

likely, probable, or possible carcinogens; 13 are linked to birth defects; 15

are linked to reproductive problems; 22 are neurotoxins; and 28 are acutely

toxic. More than one third of hospitals reporting are using pesticide products

that have been canceled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Some of the

reporting hospitals use bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon, chemicals for

which non agricultural uses are being phased out or canceled due to their

unacceptable health risks. Health effects linked to these pesticide active

ingredients include birth defects and neurological damage.

 

" Obviously patients and staff should be protected from pests, but they also need

to be protected from pesticides, " said Gina Solomon, MD, MPH of the Natural

Resources Defense Council and on the faculty at University of California, San

Francisco. " Pesticides have been linked to an array of health problems that are

particularly relevant to pregnant women, developing children, and people with

asthma. "

 

In 2001 HCWH and Beyond Pesticides mailed the survey to 171 major U.S.

hospitals. Only 22 responded, the majority of which are urban, non-profit

hospitals affiliated with a university. Despite the low response, the survey

results are consistent with a 1995 report by the Attorney General of New York

State on pesticide use in hospitals, schools and other public buildings in the

state. The report authors suggest that use of pesticides in U.S. hospitals may

actually be even greater than represented by the survey, since self-selected

respondents are more likely to be replacing pesticides with Integrated Pest

Management (IPM) plans.

 

IPM practices seek to prevent and manage pest problems through non-toxic methods

such as good sanitation, structural maintenance, and mechanical and biological

controls. IPM practices turn to toxic pesticides only after non-toxic methods

have been tried or have no chance of working. Some hospitals are having great

success managing pests with very few hazardous pesticides or none at all, and

IPM techniques. San Francisco General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital,

Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Hackensack University Medical Center were

highlighted in the report as model practitioners of least toxic pest control

practices.

 

" Hospitals should be leaders in implementing reduced-risk pest management if

they are serious about the medical profession's commitment to 'First, Do No

Harm,' yet many are using hazardous pesticides unnecessarily when safer and more

effective methods are available, " said Catherine Porter, JD, Women's Cancer

Resource Center and HCWH.

 

The report provides detailed, commonsense information on steps hospitals can

take to implement a safer and effective least toxic pest control program, and

suggests practices to counteract specific pest problems. Report authors also

encourage patients and community members to inquire about pest management and

pesticide use at medical facilities they use and visit, including asking whether

notification is being provided to patients, staff and visitors when a pesticide

product is used, and advocate for safer pest management practices within

hospitals.

 

" We expect hospitals and schools to provide a physical environment that is

beneficial and above all, safe. Just as schools in California and across the

nation are turning toward safer approaches to pest control, it is time that

hospitals move in the same direction, " said David Chatfield, Director,

Californians for Pesticide Reform.

 

To download a copy of " Healthy Hospitals: Controlling Pests Without Harmful

Pesticides " November 2003, by Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and Beyond

Pesticides, visit http://www.noharm.org.

 

Contact: Catherine Porter, Women's Cancer Resource Center, phone (510) 601-4040

ext. 102, email catherine; PANNA.

 

PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and reporting on

pesticide issues that don't always get coverage by the mainstream media. It's

produced by Pesticide Action Network North America, a non-profit and

non-governmental organization working to advance sustainable alternatives to

pesticides worldwide.

 

You can join our efforts! We gladly accept donations for our work and all

contributions are tax deductible in the United States. Visit

http://www.panna.org/donate.

 

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