Need to submit the One-Time Compliance Report for Dental Dischargers?
Some qualifying dental offices may need to submit this report since the EPA finalized their guidelines. Learn more about the One-Time Compliance Report for Dental Dischargers and how to file it correctly.
Dental amalgam is an alloy that contains mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals. Mercury levels vary, but most dental amalgams exceed environmentally-safe mercury levels. Amalgam wastes contaminate:
Chair-side traps.
Vacuum pump filters.
Septic systems.
Amalgam wastes often carry the waste codes D009 (for mercury) and D011 (for silver).
How to recycle or dispose of amalgam waste
Recycle both scrap (non-contact) and contact amalgam through an amalgam recycler or hazardous waste hauler. Your recycler will have specific requirements you need to follow in order for them to take it.
Store all contact and non-contact scrap amalgam inside tightly closed containers.
Label the containers: Dangerous Waste Mercury and Toxic.
If you must disinfect, do not use any method that uses heat. Heat turns mercury volatile.
If you store scrap amalgam under used x-ray fixer, water, or other liquid, do not decant the liquid down the drain.
Keep scrap amalgam out of:
Sharps containers, or where it will end up in the red biohazard bag.
Trash bins.
Drains.
High-speed suctions (like the vacuum line).
Instructions for specific types of amalgam waste
Amalgam separators are required in all dental offices that use mercury-containing amalgams. Separators must be ISO 11143 certified.
Dental wastewater contains anywhere from 100 - 2,000 parts per million (ppm) of mercury. State regulations limit safe levels to 0.2 ppm or lower. Separators catch any scrap amalgam that is too fine for traps or screens before it reaches the sewer system.
Separators can remove up to 99% of the mercury in dental wastewater.
What to do with mercury from separators
Mercury from separators can be recycled.
Chair-side traps can be disposable or reusable.
Disposable traps tend to be safer.
Reusable traps can be difficult to remove without spilling amalgam waste into the drain or garbage.
If your suction system can handle it, choose size 100 mesh traps over size 40. The smaller mesh is more effective at trapping amalgam particles.
What to do with waste from disposable chair-side traps
Remove trap and place into a container labeled: CONTACT AMALGAM.
Close the lid tightly.
Dispose as dangerous waste or recycle.
Chair-side traps can be disposable or reusable.
Disposable traps tend to be safer.
Reusable traps can be difficult to remove without spilling amalgam waste into the drain or garbage.
If your suction system can handle it, choose size 100 mesh traps over size 40. The smaller mesh is more effective at trapping amalgam particles.
What to do with waste from reusable chair-side traps
Flush the vacuum system with disinfectant before changing the trap. Allow contents to dry.
Open the chair-side dental unit to expose amalgam trap. Allow contents to dry.
Remove non-amalgam particles (such as cement) with cotton forceps and put in the garbage.
Remove amalgam by tapping the contents into a container labeled: CONTACT AMALGAM.
If the trap is visually clean, it can be reused. If not, place the trap in the container as well.
Close the lid tightly.
Dispose as dangerous waste or recycle.
Extracted teeth with amalgam restorations
Put in your CONTACT AMALGAM container.
Never place extracted teeth with amalgam restorations in the red biohazard bag.
Use universal precautions when handling extracted teeth (glasses, gloves, and mask).
What to do with waste from vacuum pump filters
Replace vacuum pump filters regularly as recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Use universal precautions when handling the filters.
Remove the filter and hold it over a tray or other container to catch spills.
Decant as much liquid as possible without losing visible amalgam.
Put the lid on the filter.
Place it in the box the filter was originally shipped.
Recycle the box of filters when full. Check if your amalgam recycler will take them.
Amalgam capsules may contain small amounts of mercury even after mixing.
Put all capsule waste, including any defective capsules, in your container with other non-contact scrap amalgam.
Ask your amalgam recycler if they will take capsules with your scrap amalgam.
If your amalgam recycler does not accept capsules, find a waste service provider that does.
X-ray materials and lead
Other common dangerous waste at dental offices include x-ray materials and lead. Follow the instructions for each type of waste for guidance on how to dispose of these materials properly.
Lead waste is dangerous waste. DO NOT put lead in the:
Garbage.
Sharps containers.
Red biohazard bags.
How to dispose of lead foil
Collect lead foil from x-ray packets and put it with your other dangerous waste recycling.
How to dispose of lead boxes (or lead-lined boxes)
Lead-lined boxes (x-ray storage boxes with untreated lead lining) are extremely dangerous and must be disposed of properly. DO NOT convert these boxes for other uses.
How to dispose of lead aprons
Lead aprons, once they are unusable, must be disposed as dangerous waste.
Dispose of lead properly
Contact the original vendor to see if they will recycle the item(s) for you,
OR
You may have more than what is on the above list. Contact your regional Ecology office to get help. Our staff can help identify rules you need to follow and answer questions.
What is not considered dangerous waste?
Dangerous waste does not include:
Biohazards.
Infectious wastes (like, swabs saturated with blood).
