2001 Resolution - 008

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SUBJECT: Nurses' Role in Product Selection for Patient and Environmental Advocacy
Introduced by: UAN Executive Council
Date of Resolution: May 24, 2001
Action: Resolution passed on June 27, 2001

WHEREAS, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic and its plasticizer Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are chemicals contained in health care products such as IV bags, tubing and medical gloves and that DEHP leaches out from the IV contaminating the medications and into the systems of neonates and developing fetuses, and

WHEREAS, in October 2000, the National Toxicology Program of the Department of Health and Human Services released an Expert Panel report on Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and its risks to human development and reproduction, expressing serious concern that DEHP exposure may adversely affect male reproductive tract development in critically ill infants, and 1

WHEREAS, the combustion of PVC in a medical waste incinerator can result in Dioxin formation (a known human carcinogen) and the US Environmental Protection Agency reports that medical waste incinerators are one of the leading causes of Dioxin formation2, and

WHEREAS, in 1997, the ANA House of Delegates Resolution: Reduction of Health Care Production of Toxic Pollution called for the development of PVC product alternatives, and

WHEREAS, nurses are taking an increasingly visible role in device selection as a result of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act requirements, and these actions should include products free from polyvinyl chloride,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the United American Nurses will work to educate nurses about the hazards of polyvinyl chloride and DEHP (a PVC plasticizer) products in it's production and use; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UAN will work in coalition with other organizations to advocate for the phase-out of PVC and DEHP products in health care; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UAN will develop model contract language to negotiate the decision-making role and authority for frontline nurses in product evaluation, selection and implementation.

1. NTP-CERHR expert panel report on di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. National Toxicology Program. US Department of Helath and Human Services; October 2000.

2. Dioxin: Summary of the Dioxin Reassessment. Information Sheet 1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Research and Development. June 12, 2000.