In the mid-1980's all dentists were sent a copy of a list of recommendations for their protection against mercury and scrap amalgam. It was published by the Council on Dental Materials and devised by the ADA. It warned of the severe hazards of the vapor coming from scrap amalgam. Scrap amalgam is the part of the filling left over when you have a filling placed. The scrap is put into a can or a box and "saved" to be returned for reclamation. The proper handling of this dangerous material that emits such harmful vapors is considered such a problem that it is recommended that dental students be taught about these hazards as well.

Here are the council's recommendations:

1. Store mercury in unbreakable, tightly sealed containers.

2. Perform all operations involving mercury over areas that have impervious and suitably lipped surfaces so as to confine and facilitate recovery of spilled mercury or amalgam.

3. Clean up any spilled mercury immediately. Droplets may be picked up with narrow tubing connected to the low-volume aspirator of the dental unit.

4. Use tightly closed capsules during amalgamation (while it is being mixed).

                                                                                                                                                                               Amalgam Capsule Hazardous Storage Containers

5. Use a no-touch technique for handling the amalgam.

6. Salvage all amalgam scrap and store it under water.

7. Work in well-ventilated spaces.

8. Avoid carpeting dental operatories, as decontamination is not possible.

9. Eliminate the use of mercury-containing solutions.

10. Avoid heating mercury or amalgam.

11. Use water spray and suction when grinding dental amalgam.

12. Use conventional dental amalgam compacting procedures, manual and mechanical, but do not use ultrasonic amalgam condensers.

13. Perform yearly mercury determinations on all personnel regularly employed in dental offices.

14. Have periodic mercury vapor level determinations made in operatories.

15. Alert all personnel involved in handling mercury, especially during training or indoctrination periods, of the potential hazard of mercury vapor and the necessity for observing good mercury hygiene practices.

Since scrap amalgam is the other half of the amalgam that is placed in your tooth, it seems reasonable that these recommendations should apply to you as well, if you have amalgam fillings. After all, you have the absolutely identical hazardous material in your mouth.

So let's apply these recommendations to the amalgam in your mouth:

1. Use a no-touch technique. (Keep your tongue from touching your fillings.)

2. Store in an unbreakable, tightly sealed container. (Put your head in a box.)

3. Store amalgam under water. (Keep your tongue from touching your fillings with your head in an unbreakable box submerged in water.)

4. Work in well-ventilated spaces. (Keep air circulating in your mouth while keeping your tongue from touching the amalgam with your head in an unbreakable box submerged in water.)

It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Why is the ADA highly concerned about scrap amalgam while it preaches the safety of the amalgam in your mouth? It's the same stuff.

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Here is the press release from the ADA about their updating their best management practices to include an amalgam separator:

ADA Updates Environmental Recommendations for Handling Waste

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Dental Association (ADA) has updated its best management practices for the disposal of dental amalgam waste to include the use of separators, collection devices installed in dental office plumbing to capture and remove at least 95 percent of solid waste particles before they enter the sewer system. The use of separators will allow greater recycling and reduce the amount of amalgam, which contains mercury, entering wastewater treatment plants.

"Dentists across the country have enthusiastically embraced ADA best management practices since we introduced them in 2003, which clearly demonstrates that voluntary programs work," said ADA President Mark J. Feldman, DMD. "Since then, we have gained a lot of experience with separator technology, and even assisted the ISO (an international standard-setting organization) in developing standards for the devices. We have learned that the systems work well, and we now feel comfortable including them in our best management practice recommendations."

Dental amalgam is a silver-colored alloy made from mercury, silver, copper and tin that dentists have used for generations to fill decayed teeth. Once the most commonly used filling material, it has been surpassed in popularity by tooth-colored composites. It nevertheless remains a safe and valued treatment option for some patients, particularly those needing large fillings in back teeth or who have special needs.

Dental offices using ADA best management practices already capture about 80 percent of waste amalgam. Adding separators to that regimen would increase the amount of captured amalgam to at least 95 percent. The additional amalgam captured by the separator would otherwise have been captured downstream by the municipal wastewater treatment plant. However, treatment plant waste is often incinerated; amalgam captured by separators can be recycled.

"Like most people, dentists are committed to protecting the environment," said ADA Executive Director Jim Bramson, DDS. "By adding separators to their best management practices, dentists have much greater control in their efforts to ensure a healthier environment for everyone."

The ADA just concluded its 148th Annual Session here.

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 155,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at http://www.ada.org.

SOURCE American Dental Association

http://www.rdhmag.com/display_article/308215/54/none/none/IndNw/ADA-updates-environmental-recommendations-for-handling-waste