NEW PVC-FREE DATABASE: NON-TOXIC ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE FOR MOST HEALTH CARE PRODUCTSc DENMARK – Environmentally preferable alternatives are now available for nearly all uses of PVC plastics in health care, according to an online database published by Aarhus County, which has recently been translated into English. The comprehensive, easily searchable database – the first of its kind in the world – offers everyone in the health care industry, from cleaning personnel to doctors and nurses, a real choice between PVC-products and more environmentally friendly alternatives. See: www.aaa.dk/pvc PVC plastic is an environmental and public health hazard because dioxin and other persistent organic pollutants can be emitted into the air, water and land during its manufacture and incineration. In addition, PVC products can leach toxic additives during use, and thus may harm patients receiving certain medical treatments. PVC has come under scrutiny by the European Commission since 1997 resulting in the release of the Green Paper in July 2001 that highlights the dangers associated with its disposal, and in April 2001 the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Commission "to introduce rapidly a policy on the replacement of soft PVC, in so far as the current risk analysis of phthalates indicates that it is desirable to reduce the exposure of people and the environment". These concerns have led increasing numbers of health care providers to search for alternatives. Grenaa Central Hospital, Denmark, substituted 95 percent of its PVC-products with safer alternatives without compromising safety and care, and found many of the alternatives to be more cost effective. “There is enormous enthusiasm and interest in PVC alternatives in the health care industry,” says Charlotte Brody, director of Health Care Without Harm, an international coalition working to prevent pollution in health care. “The PVC alternatives database will feed that interest with information on more environmentally sound materials that could be made available globally. Health care providers who are concerned about the dangers of PVC and DEHP can now go to this website and learn how to become part of the solution.” Aarhus County and Health Care Without Harm advocate for the phase-out of PVC plastics in health care and believe that the alternatives presented in this database represent progress towards protection of the global environment and human health. While the alternatives are not completely impact-free, they do represent tangible progress towards clean production. www.aaa.dk/pvc. For more information see also: www.noharm.org LINK to more information "Green Remodeling" By David Johnston & Kim Master Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.