From Amalgam Separation Systems
http://www.amalgamseparators.com/
WHY SEPARATE?
There has been much debate about whether or not to
continue the use of dental amalgam. While the number of
amalgam restorations that are being placed are on the
decline, the real dilemma is what is to be done with those
that are already in place. In 1993, it was estimated that
150 million amalgam restorations were placed in the USA,
weighing over 75 tons [Osborne].
It has also been estimated that the dental profession
contributes 30 tons of mercury to the environment each
year [Pierce
and Thorne] and that there are 22 billion existing
amalgam restorations that will eventually have to be
removed. It is this removal process that is a concern for
many dentists, governmental agencies, dental associations
and the general public. Dr.
P.L. Fan (et al) stated, "In locations where
other sources of mercury discharge have been substantially
reduced or are virtually eliminated, reduction of the
mercury discharge from dental offices may make noticeable
differences."
There is not a law, in any country, banning the use of
dental amalgam, however, there are existing laws in place
regarding pollution levels of dental office wastewater.
Governmental agencies are striving towards point of source
wastewater treatment, as presently there is a strain on
the centralized wastewater treatment facilities. The
collection and distribution of the sludge containing mercury
or mercuric compounds from these treatment facilities
onto farmers' fields should be reduced or eliminated
before they are introduced into the water table or our
food chain. This belief is supported by J.
Drummond (et al)'s study, which stated: "The
discharge of this waste into the sewer system from a large
number of dental offices and clinics may limit the ability
of the wastewater treatment facilities to meet their
effluent requirements". No new laws are required for
the treatment of dental office wastewater, just
enforcement of existing ones.
Some may consider that the most important reason for
amalgam separation is legal risk management. The fact that
untreated dental office waste effluent contains
significant amounts of pollutants is driving pollution,
health and environmental authorities to target dental
offices as the source of unacceptable mercury pollution.
Commissions and task forces are being struck at municipal,
state, provincial and federal levels to develop
regulations to curb the pollution coming from dental
offices. The dental associations' strategy to deny the
problem and refuse to implement a professional
self-regulated solution is forcing the government into
action by imposing the use of amalgam separators, as has
been done in Europe.
In Canada, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the
Environment (CCME), which consists of the Ministers of
Environment from the federal, provincial and territorial
governments, has adopted a Canada-Wide Standard for
Mercury in Dental Amalgam. This includes the Best
Management Practice of the use of an ISO 11143 certified
amalgam separator, to achieve the end goal of a 95%
national reduction in mercury releases from dental amalgam
discharges to the environment by 2005. The Montreal Urban
Community and the City of Toronto passed by-laws which
require dentists to install amalgam separators by July 1,
2002 and January 1, 2002, respectively.
Most dentists lease their office space. Most commercial
leases contain covenants by the tenant that prohibit the
discharge of pollutants into the building, including its
sewer systems. As landlords are held responsible for the
discharge of amalgam from their buildings into the public
sewer system, they will look to their dentist tenants for
indemnification for damages and fines and issue directions
to cease the discharge of amalgam into the building sewer
system. Without amalgam separators, a dental office may be
unable to do removal and replacement of existing amalgam
fillings. We encourage you to ask your lawyer and
insurance agent about the impact of discharging
amalgam/mercury into the public sewer system. F. Wallace
Clancy & Son Ltd., a Canadian insurance company, has
stated that " to our knowledge, there is no insurance
available for the knowing discharge of pollutants"[Elliott].
The onus remains with the individual dentist and stricter
regulations may be forthcoming[Chilibeck].
The MAXIMUM Separation System is certified to ISO
standards for amalgam separators and is the industry
leader in removal of waste amalgam. Using the MAXIMUM
Separation System allows a dentist to avoid the legal
liability issues associated with the discharge of amalgam
waste into the environment. The 'cradle to grave' burden
summarizes this: 'Once a dentist mixes and places an
amalgam restoration, the legal responsibility for the
ultimate disposal of it is established, and that lies upon
the dentist.'
The question is not "Why separate?", but
"Why not separate?"
Studies
Ahmad R., Stannard J. G., Mercury Release From Amalgam:
A Study In Vitro and In Vivo. Operative Dentistry, 1990;
15:207-218
Calais M.D. et al, Physio-chemical Properties of Dental
Wastewater. Water Environment Federation, 1994; 317-327
Chilibeck R.H., Amalgam Separators - a Professional
Responsibility. Electronic J Dent 2000: Ref# EJ10223, http://www.goDENT.com/ejDENT
Accessed June 7, 2000
Drummond J. L. et al, ICP Analysis of Dental Waste
Water. J Dent Res 1996;75: International Association of
Dental Researchers (IADR) Abstract
Elliott G., F. Wallace Clancy & Son Ltd., personal
communication. March 2000
Fan P.L., Arenholt-Bindstv D., Schmalz G., Halbach S.
and Berendsen H., Environmental Issues in
Dentistry-Mercury. FDI Commission. Intl Dent J
1997;47(2):105-10
Hocking M.B., O'Brien R.N., Importance of Convection to
the Enhancement of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates in
Inclined Tubes. Biorheology, 1987; 24:473-482
Letzel H., de Boer F.A. and Van T Hof M.A., An
Estimation of the Size distribution of Amalgam Particles
in Dental Treatment Waste. J Dent Res, March 1997; 76(3):
780-788
Osborne J.W., Dental Amalgam and Mercury Vapor Release.
Adv Dent Res, September 1992; 6:135-138
Pierce J. and Thorne K., Abstract 3126: Chemically
designed inorganic polymer filters for aqueous mercury
separation. J Dent Res 1997;76 (special issue: IADR
Abstracts)
Rubin P. G., Mercury Vapor in Amalgam
Waste Discharged From Dental Units, Archives of
Environmental Health. vol. 51 July/August 1996;
(No.4):335-337
Dental
Information
