On Thursday, Kaiser Permanente announced it will convert its intravenous equipment to safer alternatives that are devoid of two chemicals that have negative effects on health and the environment. Kaiser will begin purchasing medical products that are free of the chemicals PVC and DEHP, which can cause reproductive problems and other negative health effects, and pollute the environment. The announcement reflects a broader push by the U.S. health care system to encourage medical equipment suppliers to use safer chemicals when manufacturing products.