Reusable Traps – Remove the trap. Collect amalgam waste from reusable traps over a suitable container, never over a drain or sink, to minimize the risk of release of amalgam to the environment. Place the amalgam in your contact amalgam recycling container. Replace the trap in the chairside unit. DO NOT rinse the trap under running water because this could introduce dental amalgam into the environment.
Refer to OSHA requirements for additional considerations in removing amalgam waste from traps. Extracted Teeth Containing Amalgam PDA recommends handling extracted teeth containing amalgam as follows:
• Confirm that your recycler accepts extracted teeth containing amalgam
• Ask your recycler for specific disinfection requirements for extracted teeth containing amalgam
• If acceptable to your recycler, disinfect extracted teeth with amalgam in glutaraldehyde or 10 % formalin
• Place in contact amalgam recycling container
When handling extracted teeth containing amalgam, make sure you:
• DO NOT place extracted teeth containing amalgam in a medical waste container( red bag waste) that uses incineration for final disposal
• DO NOT heat sterilize extracted teeth containing amalgam
• DO NOT use a bleach or chlorine solution to sterilize extracted teeth containing amalgam
Vacuum Pump Filters PDA recommends handling amalgam waste captured in vacuum pump filters as follows:
Disposable Filters – Some recyclers will accept whole filters. In this case, remove the filter. While holding the filter over a tray or other container that can catch any spills, decant as much of the liquid as possible without losing any visible amalgam. Put the lid on the filter and place it in your contact amalgam recycling container. If your recycler does not accept whole filters, follow the directions for handling amalgam from reusable filters below. Once amalgam waste has been removed from the filters, the filters themselves may be handled as infectious waste. However, PDA recommends recycling disposable vacuum pump filters with contact amalgam whenever possible.
Reusable Filters – Remove the filter. While holding the filter over a tray or other container that can catch any spills, decant as much of the liquid as possible without losing any visible amalgam. Collect and place the amalgam in your contact amalgam recycling container. Replace the filter in the vacuum pump. DO NOT rinse the filter under running water because this could introduce dental amalgam into the environment.
Some vendors make plastic, disposable filters that can replace the metal, reusable filters. PDA encourages you to switch to disposable filters if your recycler accepts whole filters.
Refer to OSHA requirements for additional considerations in removing amalgam waste from vacuum pump filters.
14 PDA Waste Management Guidelines