Complying with the EPA’s Amalgam Waste Management Final Rule

Addressing Amalgam Waste

All health care facilities have a responsibility to ensure their various waste streams do not create public health risks and should always strive to lessen the impact their waste has on the environment. One waste stream of particular importance to dental practices is amalgam which contains mercury and other metals that can be released into wastewater during the placement and removal of dental fillings. Although amalgam has been proven safe, affordable and durable in treating patients, practices need to use caution when disposing of it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that mercury is a toxic chemical and can bioaccumulate (become concentrated) throughout multiple levels of the food chain. Eventually, human exposure occurs and that’s of grave concern considering there are approximately 120,000 dental offices that use or remove amalgam in the U.S.

Complying with the EPA Final Rule

To reduce mercury contamination in the environment, the EPA introduced regulations requiring dental offices to install an amalgam separator that achieves 95 percent removal efficiency. This equipment separates amalgam waste from the dental facility’s wastewater at the source, so it can be recycled instead of entering waterways through publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Several states and local governments also require the use of a separator as it is considered a best practice in dental waste disposal.

The EPA final rule went into effect nearly two years ago in July 2017. Dental facilities subject to the rule that began discharging amalgam contaminated wastewater after July 14, 2017 were required to immediately be in compliance; however, practices that had been discharging before then have until July 2020 to comply. This grace period presents an optimal time to ensure your organization is fully prepared for compliance. Here are three strategies for effectively and efficiently meeting the rule’s requirements.

Procure the Right Equipment. First and foremost, dental practices should obtain an amalgam separator—a device designed to capture amalgam particles and reduce the amount of amalgam entering the environment. These should be appropriate for the dental facility’s size and scope and located in an area that encourages convenient and consistent disposal.
Educate Staff. Training plays a key role in ensuring a safe and compliant environment for both health care workers and their patients. Practices should provide consistent staff training that covers the EPA rule, along with details on their role in compliance. Employees should know where the separator is located and learn how to properly use it. Training should also include key reminders about where amalgam waste does not belong, such as biohazardous waste containers like red bags, sharps containers and so on. Amalgam waste should also never be flushed down the drain or toilet. In addition, staff should be aware of appropriate cleaning procedures to ensure a safe and healthful working environment. Online training modules like those offered by Stericycle can be beneficial to make training more accessible and user-friendly.
Periodically Audit Disposal. As with any change, organizations should regularly monitor whether staff are consistently meeting relevant disposal rules and provide additional training if necessary.

Stericycle can help your organization follow safe dental waste disposal practices and maintain compliance. Learn more about Stericycle’s diverse dental waste management offerings and how we can help you protect your business.