PCMH received the making medicine mercury free award for steps it took to eliminate mercury from the hospital campus. Hospital officials say mercury is found in many common tools and instruments once used by hospitals. Items like blood pressure devices, fluorescent light bulbs and x-ray development fluid. Those items have now been replaced with mercury-free alternatives like digital x-rays, electronic blood pressure machines and mercury free light bulbs. Over time, being exposed to mercury can cause severe damage to the brain and central nervous system. For children, exposure to mercury can significantly delay development.