What is the role of EPA in dentistry?
Every day, your dental practice handles infectious, hazardous, and pharmaceutical waste materials. That’s why dental practices are subject to strict federal (EPA), state, and local regulations to ensure the proper handling and disposal of all bio-hazardous materials.
Is amalgam a hazardous waste?
Amalgam contains both silver and mercury, and both of those elements, when being disposed of, constitute Hazardous Waste. The amalgam may also be contaminated and biohazardous, because it has been in contact with oral tissues or fluids.
How often does the amalgam separator need to be replaced?
Collected amalgam has to be removed from every unit; but what varies is how and when. Some separators will need to be decanted daily; others will require that you replace or recycle the entire unit or canister every three to 18 months, depending on your practice volume.
How long does an amalgam separator last?
Dentists may continue to operate an already installed amalgam separator for its lifetime or 10 years (whichever comes first), as long as they comply with the other rule requirements including specified best management practices, operations, maintenance, reporting and record-keeping requirements.
Which amalgam is used for dental filling?
Approximately half of a dental amalgam filling is liquid mercury and the other half is a powdered alloy of silver, tin, and copper. Mercury is used to bind the alloy particles together into a strong, durable, and solid filling.
How do you dispose of excess amalgam?
Amalgam SHOULD NOT
- Be disposed of in the regular trash. It has the potential to contaminate ground water and air.
- Be incinerated. The mercury can be released into the air.
- Be treated as medical waste. It is a hazardous waste.
- Be autoclaved.
Who is exempt from amalgam separator?
Oral pathologists, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics are exempted from this rule. 3.
Why the EPA Is Important?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creates and enforces laws designed to protect the environment and human health. 4 As part of their mission, they seek to ensure that Americans have a clean environment, including the air, water, and land they use and enjoy.