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Hospital Mercury Reduction. Gary Goodman Environmental Specialist Sacramento County Department of Water Quality. Road Map to Hospital Mercury Reduction. Why is it a Problem? Levels in Sacramento County Hospital Levels Workplan to Reduce Mercury Overall Project Goals.
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Hospital Mercury Reduction Gary Goodman Environmental Specialist Sacramento County Department of Water Quality
Road Map to Hospital Mercury Reduction • Why is it a Problem? • Levels in Sacramento County • Hospital Levels • Workplan to Reduce Mercury • Overall Project Goals
Why is Mercury a Problem? • Mercury can produce adverse effects in humans • Developmental problems in fetuses and children • Nervous system effects in adults • Mercury can produce adverse effects in wildlife • Mercury concentrations in wildlife increase up the food chain • The highest levels are found in predatory fish and fish eating birds and mammals • The Sacramento River is listed by EPA as an impaired waterway for mercury
Residential hook-up Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Business hook-up SacramentoRiver
Current Levels of Mercury in Sacramento County • Influent to Treatment Plant • 204 parts per trillion • Effluent to Sacramento River • 8 parts per trillion • Permit Requirements for Discharge to Sacramento River • 5.1 lbs per year
Factors Contributing to Mercury in Hospital Wastewater • Mercury containing equipment • Thermometers, Spyghmomemeters, Barometers,etc • Age of Facility • Collection in Sumps • Collection in Plumbing • Laboratory Chemicals
Workplan for Reducing Pollutant Loads to the Sacramento River • Identify sources of mercury within Sacramento County • Test and evaluate wastewater from subject facilities • Reduce amounts of mercury discharged to Treatment Plant
Current Programs • Dental Facilities • Hospitals • Industry • Residential Community • Schools and Universities
Project Goals for Hospital Program • Work with DHS and hospital staff to identify sources of mercury • Wastewater testing to determine actual levels of mercury • Reduction of mercury levels discharged by facilities
Contact Information Gary Goodman Environmental Specialist Sacramento County 916-875-6254 goodmang@saccounty.net