OAKLAND - Premier Inc., one of the nation's largest health care suppliers, today launched a comprehensive Web-based resource to assist healthcare organizations in environmentally responsible purchasing and management of computers and electronics. The Center for Environmental Health, a leader in the national Health Care Without Harm coalition and the Computer TakeBack Campaign assisted and supported the development of the new Premier web site.

"Premier's actions are a clear sign to vendors that hospitals are demanding safer products and better disposal options," said CEH Program Manager Mamta Khanna. "With the market shifting toward environmental responsibility, vendors who have the safest, most environmentally friendly products will have a strong competitive advantage."

San Diego-based Premier provides supply chain improvement and group purchasing, and is owned by 200 of the nation's leading hospital and health care systems that are affiliated with approximately 1,500 hospital facilities and other health care sites in 50 states. Premier's new Computers and Electronics in HealthCare web site presents specific purchasing strategies, including contractual guidelines for minimal toxicity of materials and vendor programs for "take-back," leasing and upgrades.

The healthcare industry is responsible for the consumption and disposal of millions of electronic devices every year. Computers, televisions, lab analyzers, EKG monitors and other types of equipment used in hospitals every day contain many hazardous constituents - from lead in cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors to chlorinated plastics in cable wiring, brominated flame retardants in circuit boards and mercury in LCD displays. Hazardous substances in electronics have been linked to human health effects like cancer, birth defects, and hormone disruption. When electronic products are incinerated or landfilled, they can release heavy metals and other hazardous substances, contaminating groundwater and polluting the air. There are also concerns around the export of e-waste to developing countries that are less equipped to handle the hazardous materials.

The challenge for healthcare organizations is to investigate the materials used in electronics they purchase and stay conscious of the environmental and health threats posed by toxic components of e-waste when they must dispose of outdated or used devices. "Premier recognizes the potential negative impact that computers and electronics have on the environment and public health," said James Fosmoe, Director of Premier Group Purchasing's Information Technology Services. Fosmoe noted, "Premier will be using these guidelines for the selection of hardware manufacturers that provide computers and electronics to our members."