Green Practice News
February 2025

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• The Health Risks of Fires – Protecting Patients and Families
• How to Reduce Plastic in Your Practice
• Meet Our Executive Director in Washington D.C. March 1-3, 2025

The accelerating impacts of climate change are manifesting in many ways, from rising sea levels to extreme weather events. Among these is the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires. Once seasonal occurrences in some regions, wildfires are now year-round threats in many parts of the world. These fires, exacerbated by prolonged droughts, higher temperatures, and changing weather patterns, present significant health risks to populations far beyond the areas directly affected.

At My Green Doctor, we provide resources to help you and help educate your patients on the risks associated with air pollution and wildfires. Here is the link to our brochure: “Air Pollution & Wildfires in a Changing Climate” If you would like to discuss this topic with us, we would love to hear from you.  We can help guide you to best practices to implementing these steps in your place of work, at home and for your patients.

Contact Heather Massey to schedule a call: [email protected]

The Health Toll of Smoke and Particulate Matter

One of the most immediate and pervasive health risks from wildfires is exposure to smoke. Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of gases and fine particulate matter, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. The most dangerous component is particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that PM2.5 exposure is associated with a range of health problems, including respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations, and increased hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, while long-term exposure increases the risk of chronic illnesses and premature death.

Vulnerable Populations

Certain groups are more susceptible to the health impacts of wildfire smoke. Children, whose respiratory systems are still developing, are at higher risk of respiratory infections and reduced lung function. Older adults, especially those with preexisting health conditions, are also more vulnerable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that pregnant women exposed to wildfire smoke may experience complications, including preterm birth and low birth weight.

Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities are often disproportionately affected, as they may lack access to healthcare, air filtration systems, or resources to evacuate during fires. The American Lung Association has emphasized that reducing health inequities is critical to protecting these populations from the worsening impacts of wildfires.

Mental Health Impacts

Beyond physical health, wildfires also pose significant risks to mental health. The trauma of evacuations, property loss, and the uncertainty of living in fire-prone areas can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), prolonged exposure to smoky air and the stress of rebuilding after wildfires can significantly strain mental health resources in affected regions.

Indirect Health Risks

Wildfires can disrupt healthcare systems and critical infrastructure, compounding health risks. Hospital closures, road blockages, and interruptions to power and water supplies can delay treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. Fires can also contaminate drinking water sources with ash, debris, and toxic runoff, leading to gastrointestinal illnesses and other health concerns, as noted by the WHO.

Climate Change as a Multiplier

Climate change is not just increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires; it is also creating a feedback loop that exacerbates their impacts. Fires release massive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to further warming. They also destroy forests that act as carbon sinks, reducing the planet’s ability to absorb emissions.

Sustainable forest management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building resilient communities are essential steps to break the cycle of climate-driven wildfires.

Steps for Protecting Your Patients and Families

Doctors, nurses, and medical practices can take simple steps to reduce their health risks  to patients and families:

• Air Quality Monitoring: Encourage your patients to stay informed about air quality levels during wildfire season by using resources like the EPA’s AirNow.gov website that lists daily air quality reports for every U.S. neighborhood. Similar services are available for many other countries.
• Stay Indoors: It is important to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and avoid exercise during a local smoke or air quality emergency. Monitor TV, radio, or social media for evacuation advisories or orders.
• Indoor Air Filtration: People can install high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on their home ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality and create clean air spaces in homes.
• Personal Protection: Wear N95 masks outdoors to filter out harmful particles during smoke events. These are available at most hardware stores, at many pharmacies, and online. These masks may be lifesaving for people with respiratory or cardiac conditions! But never wear a mask instead of evacuating!
• Emergency Preparedness: Every household should create its own evacuation plan and keep essential supplies, key family documents, medications and water prepared for when you must evacuate. Clinicians can make this a fifteen-second addition to the Social History!

References and Resources

1. World Health Organization (WHO): Wildfires and Health Risks
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Air Quality Resources
4. American Lung Association: Air Pollution and Wildfires
5. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR): Climate Risks and Community Resilience
6. My Green Doctor: https://mygreendoctor.org/resources/waiting-room-brochures/

Medical practices can significantly impact environmental and human health by reducing their reliance on plastics. While large-scale renovations may not be feasible for most practices, small, consistent actions—focused on materials, packaging, and daily operations—can lead to meaningful change.

The Impact of Plastics in Medical Spaces

Plastic materials are ubiquitous in medical settings, but they come with risks:

• Microplastics from Paints: Paints degrade into microplastics, contributing to the 18% of ocean microplastics linked to building coatings.
• Plastic Flooring: PVC (polyvinyl chloride; a synthetic thermoplastic material made by polymerizing vinyl chloride) and vinyl flooring emit harmful chemicals, affecting air quality and requiring frequent replacement.
• Plastic Packaging: Many medical supplies, from syringes to single-use instruments, come in plastic-heavy packaging, contributing to large volumes of waste.

By addressing plastic use in materials and packaging, practices can improve indoor air quality, reduce waste, and demonstrate environmental leadership.

Actions for Greener Practices: Short-term and Long-term Goals

There are so many solutions included in our MGD Environmental Sustainability Practice Management program to help you accelerate your sustainability journey!  By following our step-by-step program in your practice with adding just 5-minutes per team meeting, you wil begin to save money and see results immediately.

Here are practical ways to reduce plastics:

1. Reduce Plastics in Supplies and Packaging:
   • Prioritize suppliers that offer reduced or eco-friendly packaging. Refer to our carefully curated list of certifications for all of your purchasing. (MGD reviewed more than one hundred organizations that certify the environmental sustainability and climate change impacts of products. We have chosen the best of them, these twenty-two certifying organizations).
   • Request reusable or refillable options for office supplies like pens, markers, and cleaning products.
   • For patient care items, explore compostable or recyclable alternatives for commonly used disposable products such as paper gowns or single-use trays.
2. Waste Audits and Recycling:
   • Conduct monthly waste audits to identify high-impact areas for plastic waste reduction.
   • Implement recycling programs for non-contaminated plastics like office supply packaging.
3. Engage Your Team and Patients:
   • Educate staff about sustainable practices, such as properly disposing of recyclable materials.
   • Share your sustainability goals with patients to encourage their support and participation.

Longer-term: Evaluate and Replace Materials (when it’s time to refresh or replace):

• Transition to non-plastic options for flooring, paints, and furnishings during maintenance.
• Use low-VOC paints (those with a reduced amount of volatile organic compounds) or lime-based alternatives for repainting projects.
• Opt for natural linoleum or cork flooring when replacing worn vinyl.

Establish measurable goals to reduce plastic use:

• Decrease reliance on single-use plastics by 30% within a year.
• Transition to non-plastic patient care products for at least 50% of disposable items.
• Partner with suppliers to source low-waste options.

Why It Matters

Plastic packaging is a significant contributor to medical waste. According to the EPA, 14.5 million tons of plastic packaging waste were generated in the U.S. in 2018 alone. The majority of this waste comes from healthcare and consumer goods sectors. Additionally, less than 9% of all plastics are recycled, making reduction efforts critical for sustainability (EPA, Habitable).

By reducing plastic use in materials, packaging, and operations, group practices create healthier spaces for patients and staff while contributing to global sustainability efforts.

Building a Healthier Future

In 2025, medical practices can lead the way in sustainability by making thoughtful, consistent choices. Whether it’s replacing single-use items, repainting with non-plastic options, or reducing packaging waste, every action contributes to a healthier environment and a better future for all.

Whether you are a practice manager, office staff members, or clinician, why not accelerate your environmental sustainability goals by contacting My Green Doctor for a free 15 minute chat? Email Heather Massey, Sustainability Programs Manager: [email protected] .

One of the most important conferences for the healthcare community is taking place in March in Washington DC.  Our Executive Director, Dr. Todd Sack, will be attending and looks forward to meeting you.  Among his many roles, Dr. Sack is the Immediate Past President of the Board for one of the event partners – Physicians for Social Responsibility.

He would be delighted to schedule time to meet March 1-3 to discuss our programs with you!
Please reach out directly to Dr. Sack: [email protected]

Our Planet, Our Health: 2025 Climate Action Convention, will be hosted at the George Mason University in Arlington, VA.   This pivotal gathering will bring together leaders, experts, and advocates committed to driving progress toward a healthier, more sustainable, and just future.

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