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PRINCIPLES REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENT

The American Medical Student Association:

1.             SUPPORTS anti-pollution programs, publicity and legislation with its enforcement to reduce industrial and environmental health hazards and to correct pollution problems;

2.             In regard to nuclear power:

a.             BELIEVES that the United States should refrain from issuing permits for the siting, construction or operation of all nuclear power plants until such a time as the present problems these plants pose to the nation’s health and safety are resolved;

b.             URGES the U.S. Government to immediately institute programs to replace functioning nuclear power plants with safer, renewable forms of energy production;

c.             BELIEVES that the United States should suspend exportation of nuclear power plants to other countries pending resolution of the associated world security questions and the safety of nuclear power;

3.             SUPPORTS educational, case-finding and follow-up programs regarding lead poisoning;

4.             SUPPORTS efforts directed at the following objectives for asbestos control:

a.             revisions of Environmental Protection Agency and other federal regulations so as to extend asbestos building monitoring standards beyond elementary and secondary schools and to institute corrective actions where needed;

b.             studies of asbestos form products and their potential health impact;

c.             alternatives to the use of asbestos wherever it poses a human health hazard.

5.             SUPPORTS the protection of a safe and healthy environment through the development of efficient, effective and safe alternative mass transit systems; and SUPPORTS the limited use of gasoline or diesel  driven internal combustion engines in the future. (1985)

6.             SUPPORTS legislation to require facilities that produce, store or transport hazardous substances to file with the appropriate Federal, State and local authorities an inventory of all such substances produced or stored on the premises. Documentation of the known risks to human health which are posed by such substances and a description of the appropriate medical treatment in the event of exposure should be provided.  This information should be readily  accessible to those requesting it. (1986)

7.             STRONGLY SUPPORTS the protection of public health and  the environment from the contamination of medical waste and urges the following:

a.             Establishment of federal regulations to prevent medical waste from fouling public areas.

b.             Promotion and the stricter enforcement of a safe national standard for treatment and disposal of medical waste, including a system of uniform labeling.

c.             Integration into the medical education curriculum of presentations regarding the issues of medical waste and its control.

d.             Promotion and stricter enforcement of responsible medical waste management including, but not limited to the following: (1999)

1.             Reduced incineration of PVC plastics and mercury containing items; (1999)

2.             Increased procurement of non-PVC and nonmercury containing products; (1999)

3.             Increased recycling of applicable medical products; (1999)

4.             Increased procurement and implementation of reusable medical products; and, (1999)

5.             Ongoing alternative waste management technology research. (1999)

8.             URGES the Department of Energy to provide immediate access to scientists, physicians and public health officials to all historical data on releases of radioactive and toxic substances into the environment so the impact of these exposures can be better assessed and analyzed by impartial health professionals. (1990)

9.             In regard to disposable diapers:

a.             RECOGNIZES that improper disposal of disposable diapers and similar products used with incontinent adults is occurring and poses a potential health risk from human excreta in the waste stream by contamination of ground water; (1990)

b.             SUPPORTS greater public education about the environmental risks of diapers, about all the available choices for diapering and about proper disposal of diapers and human excreta; (1990)

c.             SUPPORTS legislation that requires manufacturers of disposable diapers to provide better instructions on the packaging for proper disposal of excreta; (1990)

d.             ENCOURAGES institutions to use reusable diapers and manufacturers to develop a recyclable product that generates less solid waste; (1990)

e.             URGES manufacturers of disposable diapers to act responsibly in marketing their products overseas; (1990)

f.              SUPPORTS further research on types of diapers so that standards can be developed and researched on the health implications of disposing disposable diapers and their fecal contents into the solid waste stream. (1990)

10.           In regard to the responsible use of environmental resources:

a.             SUPPORTS the doctrine of reduce:  the amount of toxicity of products that we rely on, reuse: containers and products as much as possible, recycle:  everything possible, and reduce:  excessive packaging and products whose production, use and disposal is harmful to the environment.

b.             SUPPORTS the current change of printing The New Physician on coated, recycled stock paper.

c.             SUPPORTS an incremental progression toward the use of environmentally responsible materials (paper and ink) in all AMSA publications.  Further, it URGES the use of recycled and recyclable products, while maintaining the traditional high quality of these publications.

d.             ENCOURAGES reduction of repetitive mailing by AMSA and AMSA-affiliated corporations to decrease paper use.

e.             ENCOURAGES recycling on a personal and professional level.

f.              SUPPORTS federal incentives for paper companies producing recycled paper products.

g.             Urges that hospitals work to reduce the amount of disposable material used and to recycle when possible.

h.             Condemns the use of non-biodegradable and non-recyclable products at medical functions.

i.              Urges the Association to use only biodegradable and recyclable products at future conventions and in the National Office. (1989)

11.           OPPOSES species and ecosystem extinction, particularly where it would adversely affect human health; (1985)

12.           SUPPORTS the development of a U.S. energy policy less dependent upon foreign oil imports and emphasizing development of alternative energy sources and energy conservation efforts. (1991)