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Virginia Hospitals for a Healthy Environment

VH2E is Virginia's voluntary partnership to minimize the environmental impacts of the healthcare industry. VH2E was developed in support of the national Hospitals for a Healthy Environment program.

The healthcare industry is a significant waste generator of both solid and toxic wastes. The equipment, procedures, and medicines used in healthcare facilities can result in environmental releases of mercury, dioxins, and a wide range of other toxic materials. Patients and hospital workers run the greatest risk of exposure to these elements. The good news is that reducing these risks is relatively easy - there are alternatives that work just as well, if not better, than their toxic predecessors!

VH2E is a voluntary partnership for all Virginia healthcare facilities. VH2E partners have made a voluntary commitment to begin the process of reducing their environmental impacts. To join, facilities simply fill out and sign the VH2E Commitment Pledge. For more information about VH2E, contact Virginia DEQ's Sharon Baxter.

VH2E News

In 2007, the national H2E program was transformed into the non-profit association "Practice Greenhealth." EPA no longer directly supports the initiative, and Practice Greenhealth has become a paid-membership program. Therefore, VH2E no longer actively promotes the program. DEQ does continue to direct  facilities to the Practice Greenhealth website as it offers many free resources. 

 

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