Waste Water Discharges , cont ’ d .
Metals contained in waste water discharges may include such wastes as silver from X-ray fixer solution , amalgam and metals from patient rinse waters .
Waste water discharges containing chemicals or metals are a concern for regulatory agencies because they may interfere with sewage treatment plant operations or pass through the treatment plant and are deposited in waterways and soils . Metals are known to pass through sewage treatment plants , and sewage treatment plants have established limits of metals permissible in their effluent and sludge .
Local requirements vary . Contact your local sewage treatment plant ( also referred to as a Publicly Owned Treatment Works , or POTW ) to determine what materials may be poured down the drain .
Dental offices that use a private sewage or septic system should not discharge waste waters containing potentially hazardous materials to their system . Discharge of such wastes to the environment may harm soils , groundwater and other bodies of water .
Electronic Waste
Electronics constitute one of the fastest growing sources of consumer and commercial waste , and will undoubtedly be found in the dental office . Many consumer electronics contain heavy metals such as lead , cadmium and mercury , and are best kept out of the environment .
Pennsylvania ’ s Covered Device Recycling Act establishes requirements for the disposal of certain electronics . The act stipulates that the following devices may not be disposed of as municipal solid waste :
• Desktop / laptop computers
• Computer monitors
• Computer peripherals
• Tablets
• Televisions
• E-Readers ( with internet connectivity )
Landfills and other solid waste disposal facilities are no longer allowed to accept these devices or their components ; these devices must be recycled .
2021