Final Report for Zero Mercury Campaign in China

Transcription

1 Final Report for Zero Mercury Campaign in China Phase Four: Depth Research on Mercury in Health Care By Global Village of Beijing Organization name Global Village of Beijing Contact persons Long Binbin (Project coordinator) Address Room 301, C Building, Huazhan International Apartment, No.12, Yumin Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, ,China Zip code Telephone number +86 (10) ext binbin@gvbchina.org.cn Fax number +86 (10)

2 1. Review of phase four 1). Maintain and expand the Chinese mercury network and improve NGOs capacity on mercury In activities carried out in Phase Four, NGOs in Tianjin, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Hefei and Bengbu in Anhui Province, Lanzhou in Gansu Province and Kunming in Yunnan Province gave much publicity to mercury issues under the technical guidance of GVB Zero Mercury Team. GVB provided reference materials required in the activities, including exhibition boards on hazards of mercury pollution, posters and manuals on zero mercury, and guided the local NGOs in plan, organization and specific process of the activities. In the activities carried out by the local NGOs from July to October, Zero Mercury Action was publicized in shopping malls, schools and hospitals, etc. Information about mercury harm was conveyed through pictorial and literal publicity materials; prize-giving shows were performed; and on-site investigations were conducted. The activities were great supported by the public in neighboring communities, who reacted warmly. And the press was also attracted. For instances, Today Morning and other media reported activities in Hangzhou; and Huainan on Line etc. those in Bengbu. According to workers and volunteers of local NGOs, these activities organized by GVB have called further public attention to mercury harm and well contributed to the process of Zero Mercury China. It became consensus that further cooperation among NGOs would be an effective way of broadening the public influence of Zero Mercury Action; the NGO network should be promoted; and regular communication and cooperation on publication of inter-regional NGOs should be institutionalized. And some of which have independently launched some mercury educational activities and exhibitions after training conducted by GVB Trained by GVB, some of the local NGOs have independently launched some educational programs and exhibitions on mercury hazards. Reacting to severe mercury pollution caused by industrial production in Anhui, for example, after publication of mercury harm issued by GVB, Green-Anhui in Hefei and Youth Environmental Action Network of North Anhui in Bengbu have decided to establish long-term mechanism to sustain publication of hazards of mercury pollution and Zero Mercury Action. In Tianjin, Friends of Green set up its own chemical Team after the training, so as to conduct investigation and publication and strive for less use of hazardous chemicals including mercury in industrial production and everyday life. Final reports of local Zero Mercury activities have been published on This practical mechanism has proved its contribution to the improvement of NGO s capacity on mercury reduction. 2). Let knowledge and information about mercury continued to be disseminated to different areas in China Based on the experiences accumulated in Zero Mercury activities in previous phases, we continued to reinforce internet power as an effective tool for further publication of

3 knowledge and information about mercury, with fully utilized as information network platform. GVB workers were organized to collect and arrange mercury-related documents and information in a more systematic way. Regulations, agreements and news about mercury administration in EU and USA were collected, and related links of the topic were set up on the website, so that the visitors were able to acquire those data by quick link. Documents and other materials about mercury issued by EEB and Zero Mercury Team and latest international news about mercury administration were translated regularly. Then the information was sent weekly as issues of electronic newsletter, which provided some linkages to our mercury website and chemical blog, to our subscribers comprised of NGOs, journalists, students groups, experts, GVB s volunteers and other people who show their special interest in mercury. On the other hand, domestic news about mercury pollution and administration was constantly paid attention to. All the data have been kept up-to-date and released in time on the website and blog, which performed well in publication. Chemical blog was employed in disseminating knowledge about Zero Mercury Action and increasing interaction between environmentalists and various internet users. Latest information about mercury administration was updated regularly and abstracts, written in Chinese, of some important articles from your info were sent to the blog. The visitors questions about Zero Mercury Action were also replied to without delay. Under the catalog of Health care without harm, knowledge about mercury pollution in health care and alternative mercury-free equipment were introduced; and development of Zero Mercury Action in health care agents was reported. GVB s roll of mercury information center throughout China was further strengthened through our website construction. Linkages of environmental institutions in various countries, international environmental organization and other institutions related were provided on the website, including EEB, UNEP Chemical Website, Chemical Register Center of SEPA, etc. Therefore, it was convenient for the website visitors to acquire other relative information, both domestic and overseas, about Zero Mercury Action. 3) Improve GVB s professional capacity on dealing with the mercury issues in the health care Having visited Medical Device Department of State Food & Drug Administration and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, GVB acquired information about relative national standards for both mercury and mercury-free medical equipments and finished Investigate Report on Quality Control Certifications in Chinese Health Care for Both Mercury and Mercury-free in October. The investigation report presented general development of formulation of quality control certifications for both mercury and mercury-free medical equipments in China, and illustrated that the standards for mercury medical equipments were out of date and against utilization and conservation of those equipments. Despite gradual popularization of mercury-free medical equipments, corresponding quality control standards have not kept their pace. The report proposed a practical plan for producer association of medical device to boost formulation of standards

4 for mercury-free equipments according to current situation of health care institutes and present standards. Based on data collected in survey questionnaires on the situation of health care system and those provided by Profession Committee of Thermometer and Profession Committee of Sphygmomanometer of Chinese Medical Device Association, Investigation Report on Thermometer and Sphygmomanometer in Medicine and Health Care Market in China was compiled. In the report, common mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers used in health care were surveyed, and general state of mercury and mercury-free of those devices in the market were compared. The analysis demonstrated that market of mercury-free devices were expanding, while those with mercury still occupied a large portion due to poor consciousness of risk of mercury-containing equipments and the cost. Replying to this state of affairs, the report brought forward specific suggestions such as increasing publicity and guiding policy, etc. In addition, we found that the education on mercury is very important to broader substitutes market, and that a reliable and proper substitute with a reasonable price is the key point to promote healthcare without mercury. These two reports above have been disseminated to relative departments and industrial associations. In the process of compiling the reports, we have established favorable interactive relationship with various institutes in health care industry, so that further Zero Mercury activities will be expectable. 4) Inform Health Care Health Care and Administrations of the mercury strategy and policy at Global level A key aspect of our actions in this phase consisted of investigation and research in applications of mercury in health care industry and degree of employees consciousness of mercury in health care institutes, and following improvement of Zero Mercury actions. Between September and October, GVB, joined by Kunming Medical Institute and Tianjin Hematonosis Hospital, disseminated knowledge about mercury hazards and promoted Zero Mercury Action among medical institutes. Brochures demonstrating mercury pollution have been provided to doctors and nurses in hospitals, increasing the degree of employees consciousness of mercury pollution and harm in medical equipments. In November, GVB distributed questionnaires of two surveys, Service Conditions of Clinical Thermometer and Sphygmomanometer in Hospital and Service Conditions of Mercury Amalgam in Dentistry, among 19 hospitals in cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Kunming, and Fenyang (Shanxi), including 2nd People s Hospital of Yunnan Province, 1st Hospital of Kunming Medical Institute, Hospital of Shanxi Armed Police Headquarter, Hospital of Jinghai County in Tianjin, Hematonosis Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Science, 2nd Hospital of Chaoyang District in Beijing, etc. According to statistical analysis of the questionnaires recovered, medical equipments containing mercury were still adopted broadly in clinical medicine; while a majority of employees in health care industry were still not aware and precautious of risk of mercury leakage in mercury-containing medical equipments. A lot of work was still to be done in popularizing mercury-free medical equipment and formulating national standard. Joint efforts from government to citizens

5 were required. On Nov. 17~18, GVB Zero Mercury Team participated in Sino-German Workshop on the new EU Chemical Legislation. 140 representatives coming from Ministry of Environmental Protection, local municipal environmental protection bureaus in China, European Commission, government and industry in Germany and Sweden, Chinese Industry Association, and import-export enterprises were present. GVB distributed materials of Zero Mercury, communicated generally with participants about Zero Mercury Action and mercury-related knowledge, and increased potential influence of zero mercury campaign. GVB provided materials to CCTV Science and Education Channel and arranged relative documents to produce its documentary series on special topic, A Fatal Toxin Mercury. Taking advantage of popularity of TV media, GVB made effective publicity of Zero Mercury knowledge and its campaign.

6 2. Major Activities Foreseen in Proposal (Phase Four) and Actual Outcomes Activities 1 Comparative analysis on quality control certifications apply to measuring devices in health care for both mercury and non-mercury devices Expected results (deliverables/dates) D1: A analysis report on quality control certifications apply to mercury and non-mercury measuring devices in health care Detailed description Having visited Medical Device Department of State Food & Drug Administration and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, GVB acquired information about relative national standards for both mercury and mercury-free medical equipments. We reviewed and analyzed the development of formulation of quality control certifications for both mercury and mercury-free medical equipments in China. The report proposed a practical plan for producer association of medical device to boost formulation of standards for mercury-free equipments according to current situation of health care institutes and present standards. Output is Investigate Report on Quality Control Certifications in Chinese Health Care for Both Mercury and Mercury-free. And the final report of each activities were put on our website and chemical blog 2 market survey on mercury and non-mercury measuring devices D2: A summary about the market survey, including the large international donors of health care assistance in china and the relationship of business, organizations and governmental agencies during the purchase of mercury devices in hospitals, etc. In November, GVB distributed survey questionnaires among 19 hospitals in Beijing, Tianjin, Kunming, and Fenyang (Shanxi) Cities for finding out the situation of mercury-free substitutes in the hospitals. In addition, data from Profession Committee of Thermometer and Profession Committee of Sphygmomanometer of Chinese Medical Device Association and several producers of thermometer and sphygmomanometer were also acquired. Collected information on substitutes of mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers.

7 Common mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers used in health care were surveyed, and general state of mercury and mercury-free of those devices in the market were compared. The analysis demonstrated that market of mercury-free devices were expanding, while those with mercury still occupied a large portion due to poor consciousness of risk of mercury-containing equipments and the cost. Replying to this state of affairs, the report brought forward specific suggestions such as increasing publicity and guiding policy, etc. Output is Investigation Report on Thermometer and Sphygmomanometer in Medicine and Health Care Market in China. And the final report of each activities were put on our website and chemical blog 3 Select six local partner NGOs to independently conduct the mercury exhibition and educational activities in those cities D3: 6 exhibitions or educational activities organized by different local NGOs From July to October, together with GVB, NGOs in Tianjin, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Hefei and Bengbu in Anhui Province, Lanzhou in Gansu Province and Kunming in Yunnan Province gave much publicity to mercury issues. GVB provided reference materials required in the activities and sent its missionaries to guide the plan, organization and specific process of the activities. The sites of the activities included not only universities as usual, but also populous spots like shopping mall. And medical institutes and hospitals were specially aimed at by our publicity as well. Then we discussed with local NGOs on publicity strategy of zero mercury campaign for increasing its audience. After all these activities, GVB kept constant communication with local NGOs and their volunteers. It became consensus that further cooperation among NGOs would be an effective way of broadening the public influence of Zero Mercury Action; the NGO network should be promoted; and regular communication and cooperation on publication of inter-regional NGOs should be institutionalized. Trained by GVB, some of the local NGOs have independently launched some educational programs and exhibitions on mercury hazards. For example, after publicity of mercury harm issued by GVB, Green-Anhui in Hefei and Youth Environmental Action Network of North

8 Anhui in Bengbu have decided to establish long-term mechanism to sustain publicity of hazards of mercury pollution and Zero Mercury Action. In Tianjin, Friends of Green set up its own chemical Team after the training, so as to conduct investigation and publication and strive for less use of hazardous chemicals including mercury in industrial production and everyday life. Final reports of local Zero Mercury activities have been published on 4 Maintain the website and Blog better, increase the inter-links with other organizations on websites, and send newsletter containing mercury information to members every week The NGO mercury website ( is regularly updated with Info mercury and Info mercury action of other local NGO The Chemical blog is regularly updated with Info mercury. Abstracts of some important articles from EEB s info are put on the blog regularly ( The Newsletter providing links to articles in the websites and Chemical Blog is sent to subscribers every week.

9 3. FINANCIAL REPORTS GVB ZERO MERCURY CAMPAIGN (PHASE 4) Regarding (1,2,3) Activities Agreed Budget (CNY) Expenditure (CNY) General cost 33,000 33, Activities A. Comparative analysis on 13,000 9, quality control certifications apply to measuring devices in health care for both mercury and non-mercury devices B. Market survey on mercury 12,000 13, and non-mercury measuring devices C. Educational activities or 6,760 9, exhibitions in six cities D. Website costs 3,000 3,000 0 Remaining (CNY) Total 67,760 67,760 0 Regarding (4) Note: Invoice number EEB-XX represents invoice issued by GVB to EEB if necessary Other number like XXXXX and XXXX represent photocopies of original invoices and receipts related real expenditure for the project activities 4. Conclusion GVB basically achieved the established targets in phase four. The domestic and international information of mercury is continually spread through our internet platform, in the form of blogs, newsletters and website messages. Besides, we promoted the strengthening of introducing the base knowledge and risk in implementing mercury-containing medical devices in our website. Over the past year, GVB successfully organized a wide range of promotional activities with local NGOs. The influence of GVB and Zero Mercury Campaign is continually strengthened, and more and more people participate in the activities. A long-term sustainability mechanism is established step by step to promote Zero Mercury Campaign. And with the supporting and assistance from relevant medical industry and government

10 authorities, GVB achieved 2 survey papers, and we have established favorable interactive relationship with various institutes in health care industry In the process of compiling the reports, also obtained the basic conclusion that zero mercury campaign have been carried out step by step on the medical field. We have to say that the public s awareness of mercury has been further enhanced as a whole through the past four years work on mercury. However, by releasing the questionnaire to 19 medical institutions, the analyzing is indicated that lots of medical staff lack of the sufficient knowledge about the potential risk causing by medical devices containing mercury. Consequently, it is necessary to improve the dissemination of mercury knowledge and information, especially in health care industry. It still has a long way to go in the disseminating of knowledge about hazards of mercury, not only by NGOs but also other organizations. And further efforts also are needed, such as to strengthen publicity and education on other products which contain mercury such as skin lightening creams, as well as to help government to speed up the development of enforced indication of mercury in product s label, certifications and to provide preferential policies for mercury-free products.