Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.11815

Current through Vol. 24-22, December 15, 2024

Section R. 338.11815 - Collection, disposal, and recycling of dental amalgam waste; requirements

Rule 1815.

(1) A dentist shall comply with all of the following:

(a) Use amalgam only in a precapsulated form.

(b) Salvage, store, and recycle non-contact and contact dental amalgam materials, including empty amalgam capsules.

(c) Collect and recycle extracted teeth or portions of teeth that contain dental amalgam materials.

(d) Store all dental amalgam waste in enclosed and structurally sound containers until a sufficient amount has been collected for shipment to a reclamation facility or recycler or at a minimum, recycle annually.

(e) Label all containers holding dental amalgam waste. The label must include at a minimum, the title "dental amalgam waste for recycling" and the date the waste was initially placed in the container.

(f) Use chair-side traps to retain amalgam and recycle the content.

(g) Recycle all amalgam materials collected in amalgam separators, vacuum pump filters, chair-side traps, or other wastewater processing devices.

(h) Ensure that the separators operate properly and do not become full and bypass. This may include inspecting the separators annually, halfway through the operating life, or as required by the manufacturer.

(i) Follow the steps for the cleanup of mercury spills as recommended by the Michigan department of health and human services at www.michigan.gov/mercury.

(2) A dentist shall not do any of the following:

(a) Store bulk elemental mercury that is not in capsule form.

(b) Put dental amalgam waste down a toilet or drain.

(c) Put dental amalgam waste or empty amalgam capsules into trash containers, or biohazard or infectious waste bags.

(d) Disinfect teeth or any item containing dental amalgam by autoclaving or using heat.

(e) Use cleaners containing bleach or chlorine to flush drains or wastewater lines.

(3) A dentist shall train and have written procedures for training dental office staff who manage or dispose of dental amalgam waste to ensure compliance with this rule.

(4) This rule does not apply to a dentist listed in R 338.11811(2)(a) to (f). A dentist who installs and uses a holding tank and does not discharge amalgam waste shall comply with the requirements of subrules (1), (2), and (3) of this rule, as applicable.

Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.11815

2012 AACS; 2021 MR 8, Eff. 4/26/2021