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EPA Publishes Amalgam Separator Dental Rule

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Posted: June 23, 2017
Edited by Dentaltown staff

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass.—Solmetex, creator of the Hg5 series of amalgam separators, is celebrating the EPA’s signing and publishing of the “Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for Dental Category”.

The regulation, commonly referred to as the “Dental Rule” was signed into the Federal Register, now requiring all 50 states be compliant to a new standard of Best Management Practices (BMPs) regarding amalgam waste. The regulation was originally signed on December 16, 2016 and was under review with the new presidential administration until last June 9.

“We are very excited by the passage of the EPA’s “Dental Rule”, said Michael Toole, vice president of sales and marketing. “This regulation will greatly reduce the amount of mercury present in the wastewater. Solmetex is committed to being a comprehensive resource in helping dentists be part of this process in making them compliant.”

This new rule requires certain dental offices to comply with BMPs when handling amalgam waste. Practices are now required to either install an ISO 11143:2008 certified amalgam separator or an ANSI/ADA Standard No. 108 certified amalgam separator at a separation rate of 95 percent. Additionally, dental offices will be required to use amalgam waste buckets as defined in the BMPs, for the proper disposal of contact/non-contact amalgam items such a vacuum traps and amalgam capsules.

“For the past 16 years, it has been the primary focus of Solmetex to promote Best Management Practices in the dental offices. We are excited to be able to help dental offices stay in compliance and thus, creates a cleaner environment on a larger platform nationwide," said Lauren Nagel, vice president of finance and operations states.

The new regulation will affect dental offices nationwide that remove or replace amalgam restorations, a vast improvement over just 11 individual state mandates which have been using amalgam separators since 2002. In sum, the new dental rule states:

1. Existing dental offices have three years to install a certified amalgam separator; new dental practices have 90 days to install an amalgam separator.
2. Dental offices must use either an ISO 11143:2008 certified amalgam separator or an ANSI/ADA Standard No. 108 for amalgam separator at a separation rate of 95 percent.
3. Dental offices must employ the use of amalgam waste bucket(s) for the proper and responsible recycling of dry amalgam waste.
4. Line cleaners must be between a pH of 6–8.

“The passage of this rule brings attention to a greater environmental issue that will naturally put the dentist in an even more positive light from the perspective of their patients. It will relay the message that the dental practice not only cares for their health care but also the environment that we all share.” said Solmetex CEO Nick Mozzicato.

For more information, visit solmetex.com/regulation, or call 508-393-5115.
 
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