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Massachusetts Dental Mercury Amalgam Recycling Program

Massachusetts Dental Mercury Amalgam Recycling Program. CARROTS AND STICKS. What’s the problem?. 1996 Mercury Emission Inventory (NEGC/ECP): Dental facilities are a significant source of mercury in wastewater

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Massachusetts Dental Mercury Amalgam Recycling Program

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  1. Massachusetts Dental Mercury Amalgam Recycling Program CARROTS AND STICKS

  2. What’s the problem? • 1996 Mercury Emission Inventory (NEGC/ECP): Dental facilities are a significant source of mercury in wastewater • Massachusetts: Dental facilities release a total of about 330 pounds of mercury each year (in wastewater and solids) • Municipal wastewater treatment plants are not designed to address mercury, so it ends up in sludge. • Sludge is typically incinerated or applied to land, releasing mercury into the environment.

  3. Massachusetts Milestones: • 2000 MOU with Mass. Dental Society • 2001-03 investigation of amalgam separator systems • January 2004: voluntary program to encourage installation of amalgam separators • July 2004: started to develop regulations for a mandatory program

  4. Voluntary Program/Requirements • Install an amalgam separator with 95% removal efficiency (ISO protocol 11143) • Operate and maintain the separator as per manufacturer instructions • Collect and recycle all waste mercury amalgam • Clean lines with non-oxidizing/biodegradable cleaner • Keep records showing compliance with requirements

  5. Voluntary Program/Eligibility • Dentists who generate more than insignificant amounts of waste mercury amalgam: general dentists, pediatric dentists and endodontists • Estimate 3600 dentists eligible • Not Included: oral surgeons, periodontists and orthodontists

  6. Voluntary Program/Incentives • Year 1 participants (by 1/30/05) won’t need to meet stricter regulatory requirements or pay DEP fees until 2010 • If half of the eligible dentists participate in Year 1, voluntary program will be extended for an additional year • Year 2 participants (by 1/30/06) won’t need to meet stricter regulatory requirements or pay DEP fees until 2007

  7. Voluntary Program/Results • Year 1: 1667 dental practices certified • 2661 dentists are practicing in these facilities • Since 74% of eligible dentists joined in Year 1, voluntary program was extended for Year 2 (through January 2006)

  8. Regulations • Goal: extend and maintain significant reductions of Hg in wastewater • Developing with advice from a stakeholder workgroup

  9. Regulations (Proposed)/What’s Different? • Amalgam separators: 98% removal efficiency • File certification with DEP every 5 years • Pay fee (estimate $500) with each certification • All dentists who generate more than incidental amounts of waste mercury amalgam MUST participate

  10. Next Steps • Complete Year 2 of the voluntary program • Public comment on draft regulations • Final regulations promulgated by February 1, 2006 (goal)

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