From the Summer 2017 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association
The EPA has issued a final regulation regarding the handling of dental amalgam.
As shared with CDA members in the Winter 2017 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final regulation Dec. 15, 2016, regarding the handling of dental amalgam waste. New regulations require most U.S. dental offices to use a qualifying amalgam separator and comply with industry best management practices (BMPs) to reduce amalgam waste. Exemptions are made for certain specialists and dental offices that never place or remove amalgam. Dental offices were given three years to come into compliance with the newly issued EPA standards. As shared with CDA members in the Winter 2017 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final regulation Dec. 15, 2016, regarding the handling of dental amalgam waste. New regulations require most U.S. dental offices to use a qualifying amalgam separator and comply with industry best management practices (BMPs) to reduce amalgam waste. Exemptions are made for certain specialists and dental offices that never place or remove amalgam. Dental offices were given three years to come into compliance with the newly issued EPA standards.
With the change in presidency, on Jan. 20, 2017, the new administration directed that all new regulations, including the regulation on amalgam waste, be suspended. After further review, on June 14, 2017, the amalgam waste rule was reinstated as previously published with an effective date of July 14, 2017 (which is identical to the original effective date).
For many dental offices that already have amalgam separators installed (such as those within Denver’s Metro Wastewater Reclamation District), the biggest impact of this rule should be the filing of a one-time compliance report with the local wastewater district by Oct. 12, 2020. Dental offices may check with their local wastewater provider to obtain a copy of this form, though the EPA has not yet published a template so it may be several months before the form becomes available. Existing dental offices that must install a new amalgam separator and comply with BMPs have until July 14, 2020, to comply. However, new dental offices established after July 14, 2017, must comply with the rules immediately.
In Brief: What Dental Offices Need to Know
- Install an ISO-compliant amalgam separator before 2020.
- Do not flush amalgam scrap into drains.
- Use a compliant line cleaner.
- File a one-time compliance report with your local wastewater treatment authority.
- Update the compliance report within 90 days of a change in practice ownership.
- Inspect the amalgam separator to ensure it is working in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating manual.
- Maintain operation and maintenance records for at least three years (or contract with a vendor to provide these services).
- Correct any problems or deficiencies within 10 business days if an amalgam separator stops working properly.
- Replace the amalgam separator according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Comply with any additional standards imposed by your local wastewater treatment authority.
A detailed overview of the full EPA requirements is available to members in the Winter 2017 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association.
Over the last several years, the CDA has worked to prepare members for this policy change. Since 2009, the CDA has worked with SolmeteX to provide amalgam separators at special CDA member pricing to interested dental offices. SolmeteX is the CDA’s endorsed amalgam separator distributor. SolmeteX provides amalgam separators, installation support and waste disposal/recycling services.
CDA members who purchase a SolmeteX Hg5 amalgam separator system will receive a free Hg5 collection container as a CDA benefit (a $189 value). In addition, the CDA has worked with SolmeteX to offer a free Hg5 recycling kit (a $126 value) as part of this special offer. Visit cdaonline.org/solmetex for more information.
As an additional benefit available to CDA members, SolmeteX has created a certificate login that contains training and inspection logs dental facilities can use with their amalgam separator operations and maintenance plans. Download the employee training log and visual inspection log, or visit www.solmetex.com/dentalcerts.