environmental Strategist between the lines: Mercury pollution is just one of the many environmental exposures faced by dental professionals. As the article below points out dental professionals are expected to be more environmentally transparent in their business operations and the American Dental Association agrees.
The article talks about amalgam separators. In case you are not aware, Amalgam is a commonly used dental restorative material used for dental fillings which has been used for over 150 years. It contains a mixture of mercury with at least one other metal. Amalgam separators are devices designed to remove amalgam waste particles from dental office wastewater. Amalgam waste particles can be suctioned into the dental unit vacuum line and discharged into the public sewer system.
The effort to reduce amalgam waste discharge from the dental office is the result of increasing pressure facing local wastewater treatment plants to reduce the concentration of mercury in effluent from their plants and the concentration of mercury in sludge. The ADA’s Best Management Practices for amalgam waste include the use of amalgam separators. Although there is no national regulation requiring the installation of amalgam separators in U.S. dental offices, state and local requirements exist in some areas. Check with your state or local dental society to see if any requirements exist in your area.
Organizations Sign MOU to Monitor Dental Amalgam Discharge Reduction Program
Program to reduce mercury pollution will establish performance goals and track how many dental offices install and use amalgam separators
December 30, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Dental Association (ADA) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) on Dec. 29, 2008, to establish and monitor the effectiveness of a Voluntary Dental Amalgam Discharge Reduction Program.
“This agreement will help prevent toxic pollution and track environmental progress,” said Assistant Administrator Benjamin H. Grumbles. “EPA appreciates the cooperation of dental professionals and wastewater utilities in reducing mercury discharges into sewers and watersheds. We look forward to continued progress with other partners and co-regulators, as well, on the many aspects and challenges of mercury pollution.”
The purpose of this MOU is to have dental offices install and properly maintain amalgam separators, and recycle the collected amalgam waste. The program will also establish performance goals, and track the percentage of dental offices that install and use amalgam separators. There has been progress to reduce the discharge of mercury into Publicly Owned
Treatment Works from dental offices, but much more can be done through collaboration, innovation and technology. This collaborative effort among EPA, ADA and NACWA will help build awareness and stress the importance of prevention at the local, state, tribal and national levels.
Source: EPA December 30, 2008