Dental Amalgum Waste
Dental amalgam consists of a mix of metals. These include mercury, tin, silver and copper. They’re often called “silver fillings.” The risk occurs when mercury is released into dental practices’ wastewater when dentists remove or insert silver fillings. The EPA ruled in 2017 that dental offices must use amalgam separators as well as best management practices suggested by the American Dental Association. These practices are to ensure that amalgam isn’t discharged into publicly owned treatment works. Research has shown that dentists’ practices are the biggest source of mercury discharge into publicly owned treatment works. Mercury in the water supply is dangerous because it accumulates in the flesh of fish and shellfish. When eaten, this is highly toxic, especially for unborn babies, infants and children. The regulations require that dentists reduce their mercury discharge to levels achievable by amalgam separators and good management practices. There are rules in place already in many states that require compliant separators.