NIH Mercury & Toxic Chemical Reduction Campaign

Thursday, October 11, 2012 — Poster Session IV
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Natcher Conference Center, Building 45	OD	RSCHSUPP-23

Authors

• D. Wilson
• C. Lee
• T. Carroll
• R. Weidner
• D. Mohammadi
• J. Prom
• C. Hernandez

Abstract

The NIH has identified Mercury and Toxic Chemical Reduction as a goal in the 2012 Sustainability Implementation Plan. NIH Manual Issuance 3033, Procurement, Use, and Disposal of Mercury and Its Compounds, established agency policy to limit the procurement and use of Mercury at the NIH. Mercury and its compounds are neurotoxic, bio accumulative and persistent in the environment. The NIH is seeking to collect and dispose of metallic Mercury, Mercury containing devices, and Mercury containing compounds that are currently in use or inventory. In addition to Mercury, the sustainability goal includes a reduction in the purchase and use of other toxic chemicals where possible. Reductions can be achieved through the use of less toxic chemicals that achieve the same research goal or limiting the purchase and inventory of toxic chemicals that cannot be effectively replaced. This presentation will specify how the Mercury reduction plan will be implemented along with ways to reduce the types and quantities of other toxic chemicals at the NIH.

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