Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

WASHINGTON, DC, USA: Despite its known negative effects on the environment, tons of mercury derived from removed amalgam dental fillings end up in public wastewater systems in the US each year. New rules pro- posed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week aim to reduce the threats posed by improper waste disposal by makingitmandatoryfordentistsnationwide toemployamalgamseparators,amongother measures. Withthenewregulations,whicharepartof the Clean Water Act, the agency hopes to de- creasetoxicmetaldischarges,includingmer- cury, by at least 8.8 tons a year. In order to re- ducethefinancialburdenforstatesandlocal- ities, which would have to implement and oversee the new rules, EPA also announced initiatives to streamline oversight require- ments of the dental industry. After subjec- tiontoapubliccommentperiodandhearing in November, the rule is expected to become effective in September next year. EPA estimates that up to 3.7 tons of mer- cury are released annually from dental of- ficesintheUS,whichequals50percentofthe total mercury released by dentistry and other industries into the public wastewater system,accordingtotheZeroMercuryWork- ing Group in Vermont. While amalgam sepa- rators have been shown to be effective in the collection of the toxic metal before it is re- leased, so far only 12 states, including New York and Massachusetts, have mandated their use in dental clinics. Under the new rules,dentistsnationwidewouldberequired toinstallandusethesesystemspermanently for the very first time. “This is a common sense rule that calls for capturingmercuryatarelativelylowcostbe- fore it is dispersed into the publicly owned treatmentworks.Itwouldstrengthenhuman health protection by requiring removals based on the technology and practices that approximately 40 per cent of dentists across the country already employ thanks to the American Dental Association [ADA] and our state and local partners,” commented Ken- neth J. Kopocis, deputy assistant administra- torforEPA’sOfficeofWater,inapressrelease. The ADA has been recommending the use of separators for disposing dental amalgam through its best management practices guidelines since 2007. Reports show, how- ever,thatinstateswithoutmandatoryuseof the devices proper disposal of amalgam waste is still seriously lacking. Asked by DentalTribuneInternationaltocommenton the proposal, ADA officials would only say thatitiscurrentlybeingreviewedbytheiror- ganisation to ensure that it will not place un- due burden on the dental profession. Dental clinicsthatfullycomplywiththeregulations willincuracostofUS$700ayear,accordingto EPA. While relatively harmless when used in dental fillings, mercury can become highly toxic when it reacts with specific aquatic microorganisms. This variant, known as methylmercury, accumulates in fish and fish-eating animals, posing serious health risks to humans when consumed. Among otherconditions,researchhaslinkedittocar- diovascular disease and developmental deficits in children. 5Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition | 9/2014 WORLD NEWS New US government regulation eyes mercury disposal by dental ofﬁces By DentalTribune International Design and quality. ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® OP30 ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® OP30 is a digital panoramic X-ray unit designed for every dental ofﬁce demanding a top quality digital panoramic system. OP30 truly continues the legacy of the well-known ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® product family. Design and quality.Design and quality. ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPHORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® designed for every dental ofﬁce demanding a top quality digital panoramic system. OP30 truly continues the legacy of the well-known ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® www.instrumentariumdental.com – ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® image quality – All the essentials included – Stable patient support and three positioning lights – Pan, pediatric pan, TMJ imaging programs Sales Technical Support Med Imaging Limited Europa House Overbrook Court, Overbrook Lane Knowsley, L34 9FB Tel: 0845 805 5908 Fax: 0870 444 0545 www.medimaging.co.uk © DmitriMaruta/Shutterstock.com Tel: 08458055908 Fax: 08704440545

Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

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