Dental Amalgam Waste Protocol
In February 2002, representatives of Environment Canada and the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), agreeing to work together to help to reduce the amount of dental amalgam waste discharged into the environment.
The MOU document contained the Canada-wide Standards (CWS) on mercury from dental amalgam waste, and also defined the roles of both parties in ensuring voluntary implementation of these standards.
The CWS primary objective is to reduce the amount of mercury released from dentistry into waste waters by 95% in 2005, from a baseline of 2000. Such levels could be achieved if all dental practices voluntarily installed an ISO 11143 certified (or equivalent) amalgam separator at their practice and complied with the Best Management Practices (BMP), as outlined in the MOU.
Most dentists recognize the need to collect their amalgam waste, but may require further guidance about how to properly dispose of the collected materials.
Environment Canada has a detailed section on its Web site that helps clarify and highlight current dental amalgam waste protocols. The site includes the specific requirements for dental amalgam waste management in every jurisdiction in Canada and offers links to the pertinent provincial and territorial regulations and bylaws.
Representatives from Environment Canada met with CDA in January 2005, to review both parties' role in encouraging the dental profession to voluntarily adhere to the CWS. Dentists should be aware that the deadline for voluntary implementation of the CWS on mercury from dental amalgam waste is the end of 2005.
CDA recognizes dental amalgam as a safe restorative material, but acknowledges that dental amalgam waste should be captured and recovered to prevent the release of mercury into the environment.
Related Resources:
Contact Information
Send your inquiries to CDA by e-mail at reception@cda-adc.ca.
Photo provided courtesy of the American Association of Dental Editors. www.dentaleditors.org
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