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Quezon City, Philippines -- In celebration of Zero Waste Month in the Philippines, Health Care…

Pesticides for Control of Pests OnsiteChemicals of concern: Various pesticidesAffected individuals: Pesticide applicators, community members living in production, use and disposal sites.Harmful effects: Nausea, headaches, rashes and dizziness with sufficiently large exposures Link to cancer, birth defects, neurological and reproductive disorders, and the development of chemical sensitivitiesSome pesticides contaminate food websAlternatives:Integrated pest management

Antipolo, Rizal -- Health Care Without Harm Asia recently joined the Department of Health (DOH) in…

Manila, Philippines – Today, coal-affected communities and civil society organizations held a…

Manila, Philippines – The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) has recently formed the Technical…

Cleaning AgentsChemicals of concern: Ingredients may include surfactants, chemicals that enhance the effects of other compounds, alter acid-base balance, bind minerals and metals like mercury, fragrances, and disinfectants.Affected individuals: Healthcare workers, community members living in production and disposal sites.Harmful effects: Solvents may include glycol ethers, some of which cause birth defects, toxicity to testes, and damage to red blood cellSome solvents are toxic to the nervous systemSurfactants such as alkylphenol ethoxylates degrade into nonylphenol, which is toxic to aquatic wildlife; ethanolamines can cause asthmaMay contain chemicals that cause cancer, reproductive disorders, respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritation, central nervous system impairment, etc.Alternatives: Less-toxic cleaning agents are widely available used. GreenSeal, for instance, certifies cleaners with lower environmental and human health toxicity.

Medical Devices such as IVsChemicals of concern: Mercury, bisphenol A (BPA), DEHP, PVCAffected individuals: Patients (DEHP), production workers, disposal workers (mercury), community members living in production, use and disposal sites.Harmful effects: Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can harm the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. Mercury can contaminate the food web.PVC manufacture and incineration generates dioxins, chlorinated organochlorinesDEHP, an additive to PVC, can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, particularly developing testes, according to animal studies.In animal studies, BPA is associated with alteration in breast, prostate, and brain development, changes in behavior, and susceptibility to breast and prostate cancer. Human studies find a direct association with risk of diabetes and heart disease.Alternatives: Alternatives are available for all mercury products used in the healthcare setting. PVC-free and DEHP-free alternatives are available for many uses, with some geographic restrictions.

Building Materials and Indoor FurnishingsChemicals of concern:AsbestosFormaldehydeMetalsAsthmagensPBT’sBPAFlame retardantsCarcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxicantsPVCAffected individuals: Healthcare workers, production workers, community members living in production, and disposal sitesHarmful effects: The construction and use of buildings consumes billions of tons of raw materials, including many toxic chemicals, generates significant waste, consumes a tremendous amount of energy and contributes toxic emissions to the air Materials and furniture used indoors can degrade indoor air quality contributing to disease Alternatives: There are significant opportunities to improve environmental quality and human health through green planning, design and construction of healthcare facilities

ElectronicsChemicals of concern: Metals like lead and mercury, brominated flame retardants, chlorinated plasticsAffected individuals: Hospitals workers who utilize electronic equipment, production workers, community members living in production and disposal sitesHarmful effects:Improper disposal of electronic equipment poses a significant threat to public health and the global environment. When electronic products are incinerated or dumped in a landfill, they can release heavy metals and other hazardous substances that contaminate groundwater and pollute air.Brominated flame-retardants result in toxic polybrominated dibenzodioxins and –furans when recycled. Markedly elevated levels of these are measured in recyclers and in communities hosting recycling operations. Health effects include cancer, immune and reproductive system toxicity. Electronic use may contribute to elevated levels of flame retardants in indoor dust.Alternatives: Electronics manufacturers need to develop less toxic alternatives to the most hazardous components in response to international regulation and consumer expectations.

#ChooseHealthyEnergy Campaign Launch under the banner of HCWH Asia's Healthy Energy Initiative last…

#ChooseHealthyEnergy: Health Care Without Harm-Asia pushes for a healthier energy for the…

Non-profit group seeks use of renewable energy in PH health sectorCarolyn Bonquin, ABS-CBN…