This section includes resources and information about management of amalgam waste in the dental office and information about current rules and regulations.

EPA announces intent to regulate dental mercury waste On Sept. 27, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to initiate an effluent guideline rulemaking procedure to reduce mercury waste from dental facilities. The EPA said it expects to issue a draft proposal next year that would take effect in 2012. FDA action on dental amalgam The Food and Drug Administration issued a ruling on July 28 that categorizes encapsulated dental amalgam as a class II (moderate risk) medical device, placing it in the same class as gold and tooth-colored composite fillings. The American Dental Association has supported a class II designation for dental amalgam since 2002, when first proposed by the FDA. Amalgam regulations: Statewide mandate or not? A dental products salesman recently visited a member dentist's office saying all offices in Wisconsin were required to have installed amalgam separators by Dec. 31, 2007. There is no such statewide requirement. Cities with amalgam separator mandates At this time, the WDA is aware of amalgam separator mandates (not voluntary) and timelines in the following Wisconsin cities. Recycling amalgam waste View a listing of amalgam waste recyclers, questions to ask them and how to choose a separator for your office. Amalgam & dental waste Get resources and links to help you manage your dental office waste, including steps for reducing amalgam waste, tips for choosing an amalgam separator and best management practices.