Fabella Hospital clean up after chemical spill now complete August 11, 2013 Fabella Hospital remains open to the public. The Hazardous Material Unit of the Bureau of Fire Protection completed their clean up yesterday at the Fabella Hospital following a chemical spill last Thursday. The decontamination was ordered after unacceptable levels of ambient mercury were detected in the areas where liquid dental amalgam had spilled from broken containers. These areas were in a separate building far from the patient areas. As a precautionary measure, 40 patients from the nearby Pediatric Ward were transferred last Friday to another part of the hospital for their safety. All patient areas in Fabella were tested for ambient mercury after the clean up and all tested negative for mercury build up. Secretary Ona reminded all health facilities in the country to comply with the DOH directive on the phase out of mercury containing devices including amalgam with their secure and proper storage and permanent disposal. Disposal of these chemicals should be coordinated with DENR. All chemical spills regardless of amount shall require immediate clean up to prevent or limit human exposures. Mercury vapor causes acute and chronic health effects involving the brain, lungs and kidneys depending on amount and time period of exposure, which is usually through inhalation. Around 80 hospital personnel including members of the Hazardous Material Unit were subjected to blood mercury testing as part of standard operating procedures. Patients were not included in the monitoring because they had no exposures. The hospital staff were those who may have been in and around the storage areas where the chemical spill occurred. All supplies and materials in the storage areas will be disposed if found to be significantly contaminated with mercury. The affected areas will only be used again by hospital employees only after Hazardous Material Unit declares them safe for occupation. ------------------- Glen S.Ramos Public Information Officer Department of Health - National Capital Region
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 04:46:13 +0000
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