Plan Ahead for Amalgam Discharge Compliance

Apersistent pollutant with well-documented effects on human health, mercury is of particular concern to the dental community. In 2003, a study by the American Dental Association (ADA) estimated that 50% of the mercury entering publicly owned treatment works (POTW) facilities was contributed by dental offices. Since the late 1970s, the use of dental amalgam has decreased as the use of materials such as composite resins and glass ionomers has steadily increased. It is estimated that the incidence of placing dental amalgam has been reduced by 2% to 3% per year. Based on this information, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the mercury in dental amalgam discharges to POTW facilities will decrease by about half within the next 25 years. However, although the use of dental amalgam continues to decline, EPA estimates that approximately 2 tons of mercury will continue to be discharged to POTW facilities in 2040. Approximately ​
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