More 'eco-friendly' hospitals being built

October 7, 2006

Hospitals are beginning to build " more efficient, eco-friendly

facilities with 'sustainable' design features " as the

industry " embarks on a $200 billion construction program over the

next decade to replace or rebuild decaying facilities and meet

growing demand from aging baby boomers, " the Wall Street Journal

reports.

According to the Journal, hospitals have " inadvertently contributed

to illness and pollution by exposing staff and patients to a witch's

brew of toxins " -- including building materials that release

chemicals into the air, medical waste, hospital supplies and cleaning

products.

However, " that is starting to change " amid increasing pressure from

local and state governments, health care architects and designers,

and " environmentally conscious donors, " the Journal reports.

About a dozen groups including Kaiser Permanente and Dartmouth-

Hitchcock Medical Center began constructing " green " hospitals several

years ago, and other groups are now following their lead.

According to the not-for-profit Center for Health Design, which co-

sponsored a conference in New Jersey last week to promote green

design, more than 180 healthcare facilities have been built or are

being designed following guidelines such as those set by the Green

Guide for Health Care, which is based on a certification system

developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Innovations include solar panels, permeable pavement material to

filter chemicals from rainwater runoff, water conserving toilets,

rubber floors, eco-friendly systems for disposing of medical waste,

latex-free examination gloves, and cleaners without harsh chemicals

and recyclable solvents.

Cohen, executive director of the Environmental Health Fund, said

that although innovations initially cost more, they can reduce

operating costs over time (Landro, Wall Street Journal, 10/4).

Recommended Posts