In the Hospitals of the City of Buenos Aires a program was implemented to replace items containing mercury, due to the risks of chemical pollution. So mercury thermometers were replaced by digital. But the City Watchdog (AGCBA, for its acronym in Spanish) found that "the final dispositions of those inputs were not contemplated, and no action was taken to avoid spillage and the subsequent environmental pollution."

The report noted that in 2005 "40 thousand units of mercury thermometers," were purchased centrally, and that in 2007, a year after the program has been implemented by signing the 'Letter of Intent to Eliminate Mercury Effectors of Health, "2000 digital thermometers were bought.

Gradually, the Watchdog said, Hospitals were replacing appliances, and those items containing this dangerous substance were stored in a warehouse in the Department of Disused Goods without "analyzing the process conditions" and disposal.

According to the AGCBA, the Department "ignores the danger of the chemical agent" and "makes no actions to prioritize care to manipulate and store." Even the head of the area said that the "entry system" of these elements "is the same as for any other property which is discharged."

The report, approved this year on data for the period 2007-2008, states that "the necessary measures are taken to avoid breakage" of materials, which would "entail a possible environmental pollution."

Despite the implementation of the program, the audit could verify that some hospitals receiving new thermometers "continue to use mercury"; Dental services that handle chemicals "without precautionary measures"; and that "the excess of mercury is disposed of as common waste in the Elizalde Hospital and the Argerich throws it in the sewer."

Interrupted tests to measure the presence of contaminants in intoxicated persons 

During the first period of 2008, the Sentinel Units of only two hospitals (Elizalde and Argerich) where the dosage of pollutants takes place, had to interrupt the analysis to measure the presence of toxic substances in the body of persons exposed to lead, mercury and acid, due to a lack of funds.

These units were created to monitor hemato-oncological diseases associated with pollution. Specifically when working on the population of Matanza Riachuelo, Villa Inflamable, La Boca and Barracass. The report warns that from several epidemiological studies, "many children with high levels of toluene, benzene and lead in blood" were found. 

It should be noted that the Hospitals that provide this service are referenced for the areas most affected by environmental pollution. 
 
"Obsolete" equipment and maintenance 

For the AGCBA, "the lack of adequate and appropriate human resources, brings with it the inability to ensure the maintenance and infrastructure in health facilities" in order to avoid risks to the physical integrity of persons who receive services at the locals Hospitals.
 
Given the lack of resources, although the audit found that the Network Imaging "equipment is obsolete" and "is about 40 years old" in 2006 residency in Hospital Engineering vacancies are no longer offered. The area is responsible, among other things, issues such as medical electrical equipment or electrical installations for all the services the effector owns.