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New: HCWH Europe launches Health & Environment, a newsletter about environmental health issues and what they mean for healthcare.

Quick and easy to digest, H&E updates you on the latest issues, news and research relating to environmental health issues.

>> Click here to download the latest issue. <<

WHO and HCWH say health sector can lead the way against climate change: A radical overhaul of energy consumption in healthcare must take place if Europe is to meet a target of an 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050. A new report by HCWH and the World Health Organisation shows how the health sector can improve energy efficiency and adopt greener approaches to its services. 30 April

Argentine Ministry of Health instructs hospitals to buy mercury-free measuring devices: In a move that will end purchase of mercury thermometers and blood-pressure devices in Argentina, the Argentine Ministry of Health has instructed all hospitals and healthcare centres to buy mercury-free alternatives. This is a result of the work of HCWH Latin America and other partners in the region. Read the press release here. 25 Feb 2009

HCWHE and AAGBI work together on environment and health seminar: The NHS recently published its strategy for reducing its carbon footprint. This seminar, organised by the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, addresses this and other important environmental topics in healthcare. World-class speakers include Dr David Pencheon, head of the NHS Sustainable Development Unit. See the full program here (pdf) and book a place here. 24 Feb 09

WHO partners with HCWH to massively reduce use of mercury medical devices. HCWH and the WHO have partnered to replace 70 percent of all mercury thermometers and blood pressure devices around the world with digital and aneroid alternatives within the decade. Find out more in this press release. 4 Dec 08

Environmental standard in first application to medical device: For the first time, a medical device has been certified by an ecolabel. The device, a Fresenius dialysis bag, is labelled with the Nordic Swan, demonstrating it is free from PVC plastic and a range of substances believed to be harmful. These include DEHP, a suspected reproductive toxin used in many medical devices including dialysis equipment. Read the press release. 3 Dec 08

Beyond take-back: how to get drugs out of our water [Newsletter]. HCWH Europe goes down the pipes to look at the solution to the problem of drugs in our water. Go to the latest issue of our newsletter to read more.

US experience should give EU confidence in feasibility of sales restrictions on mercury sphygmos: US hospitals have had a great deal of success in moving away from using mercury in blood pressure measuring devices. This should give the EU confidence that restrictions on the sale of mercury sphygmomanometers, currently under review, are feasible. The US successes are documented in a new HCWH report "End of an Era". Download the report here. 25 Sept 2008.

New Member of HCWHE Board of Directors. We are pleased to announce that Per Rosander, Acting Director of the International Chemical Secretariat, has joined our Board of Directors. Per, a graduate in chemistry and political science, has extensive experience in NGOs and environment consultancy, working for organisations including Apoteket (the state-owned pharmacy in Sweden) and Greenpeace International. He also helped establish HCWH Europe in 2003. July 2008

Doctors ask MEPs to reject waste law proposals: Several doctors' Associations, representing over 33,000 medical professionals, have written open letters to MEPs criticising the Waste Framework Directive. They fear incineration is being promoted at the expense of public health. Read an English version of their statement here. 11 June 08

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Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of 480 organizations in more than 50 countries, working to transform the health care sector so it is no longer a source of harm to people and the environment.