Waste » Business » Mercury » Amalgam
Amalgam waste requires special attention because it contains mercury and silver. Dental offices must deal with five types of amalgam wastes. Please note that different amalgam waste types should not be mixed before contacting your vendor.
All dentists are required to have an ISO 11143 certified amalgam separator and to maintain it carefully to keep wastewater clean. This applies to offices on sewer lines and septic systems. Those on a septic system may only use a commercial system with a holding tank and should have it tested regularly for contamination. For more information read the Department of Ecology’s “Best Management Practices For Dental Office Waste.”
Separated Amalgam must be received by a certified Amalgam vendor. Some vendors provide mail kits for shipment, while others offer scheduled pickups.
Presently, there are five other types of restorative materials for tooth decay:
- resin composite
- glass ionomer
- resin ionomer
- porcelain
- gold alloys
Department of Ecology’s “Best Management Practices For Dental Office Waste”
