Dioxin is a chemical that is created when polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic is manufactured and incinerated. "According to the Health Industry Manufacturers Association, PVC is found in 25 % of all health care products" (Shaner, 1999, para. 3). Some of these products include:

• IV and blood bags                                        
• IV tubing and catheters
• Enteral feeding bags and tubing
• Nasogastric tubes
• Oxygen tubing and masks
• Endotracheal tubes and tracheostomy tubes
• Urinary collection bags
• Wound drainage systems

            In the United States improvements in Dioxin pollution have been made due to the closure of thousands of medical waste incinerators. However, incineration is still a source of dioxin pollution thanks to the widespread use of PVC containing products by the health care industry (Health Care Without Harm, 2005).

            Mercury is released into the air when wastes are incinerated and into the water when they are discarded down the drain. Some hospital sources of mercury include:

·         Thermometers

·          Blood pressure gauges

·         Esophageal dilators

·         Fluorescent light tubes

·         Certain batteries

            Mercury spills in the hospital should ALWAYS be disposed of correctly so as to prevent environmental and human contamination.

            Mercury and Dioxin pollution have serious environmental effects and human health consequences.