5 Days Until the Amalgam Separator Rule Compliance Date

The compliance date for existing dental offices to install ISO 11143 certified amalgam separators is five days from today. On July 14, 2020, existing dental offices must 1) have/use amalgam separators, 2) cease flushing amalgam waste down the drain, and 3) prohibit the use of oxidizing/corrosive vacuum line cleaners. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2017 regulation, known as the “Dental Amalgam Rule”, requires all dental practices to reduce the sewer discharge of mercury and other metals.

Dental offices that only remove amalgam fillings in limited emergency, unplanned, unanticipated circumstances are exempt from the requirements. Additionally, the regulation does not apply to mobile units, or to offices where the practice of dentistry consists only of the following dental specialties:  oral pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, or prosthodontics.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has provided dental professionals with comprehensive programs to support regulatory compliance and infection control. We are a registered continuing education provider in the state of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and OSHA training.