Environmental Issues in the College of Dental Medicine

Transcription

1 Environmental Issues in the College of Dental Medicine Recovery of silver halide from X-ray processor wastewater Collection & recycling of scrap films, lead foils, amalgam & lamps Waste disposal of aerosols, lead autoclave tape and lidocaine & marcaine solutions

2 Silver Recovery Regulations As of 1996, NYCDEP Title 15 Chapter Columbia University and other generators of silver waste water such as publishers, printers, hospitals, dentists, x- ray labs & photo-processors must prepare and implement best management practices for silver discharges. Logs must be used to record discharge amounts. For example: <100 gal/day discharge users must recover at least 90% of the silver Written inspection logs & maintenance logs are required. Record service dates of new equipment installation.

3 Silver Recovery Regulations Registrants must register with the NYCDEP as of 1999 regarding their silver recovery system. Flow determined through: fixed metering equipment timed filling of the vessel known volume through calculation using estimated amount of replenishment solutions Refer to CDM website for direct links to regulations.

4 Environmental and Health Effects - Mercury Highly toxic by skin absorption and inhalation; Bio-accumulates in the environment; Exposure to high levels may result in damage to the nervous system, kidneys and developing fetus; USEPA limit of 2 ppb in drinking water; OSHA limit of 0.1 mg/m 3 in workplace air.

5 Recycling Amalgam Waste Amalgam contains Mercury and Silver. Both metals are considered hazardous by the EPA. Amalgam must be collected and processed in accordance with NYSDEC regulations subpart with recycling/recovery. As of 2008, Amalgam separators are required per NYSDEC to achieve a minimum of 99% removal efficiency of dental amalgam by weight based on CU s estimated volume for discharge.

6 Per NYSDEC requirements, dental amalgam waste must be: Collected & stored in leak proof containers. Labeled with the type of dental amalgam waste and the date when the material was first added to the container. EH&S provides labels exempt scrap metal dental amalgam with the accumulation start date. Must be kept closed when not in active use. Container date must not exceed 1 year in storage.

7 Dental Materials at CDM Through the CDM material recycling program 185 pounds of mercury were recycled in Six dental amalgam separators on the Medical Center campus. Faculty practices Dental clinics for the community CUMC achieving 99.87% removal efficiency.

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9 Recycling Amalgam Waste Extracted teeth & amalgam capsules: Must be placed in pre-labeled containers provided by EH&S. Each container must be pre-filled with a 10% bleach solution (disinfectant). Do not discard capsules in RMW. Liquid mercury may no longer be purchased. Chair side traps: Place in the EH&S provided containers located on each floor. Do not rinse or attempt to clean particle traps prior to collection.

10 Use the filters on VC8

11 Scrap Film Collection All dental X-Ray films should be collected in the Scrap Film Collection Containers located near the film developing units. Dental X-Ray films are collected because of the silver content (regulated as a hazardous waste). All film must be removed from packaging materials, envelopes, folders, etc. prior to placement in the collection container.

12 Environmental and Health Effects - Lead Lead foils must be collected for recycling and not thrown in the trash. High exposure to lead may result in damage to the kidneys, blood, gastrointestinal system and central nervous system: USEPA limit of 50 ug/l in drinking water OSHA PEL of 50 ug/m 3 in workplace air

13 Lead Free Autoclave Tape

14 Dental chair Lamps Dental chairs lamps are collected into a container for recycling. If a dental chair lamp is out please notify Iris or Serrain. Lamps are then collected by EH&S for recycling.

15 Aerosols Aerosols typically contain flammable propellants and are considered a hazardous waste. Used aerosols must be collected into a hazardous waste container for disposal.

16 Lidocaine & Marcaine Solutions Lidocaine & Marcaine Hydrochloride solutions contain trace amounts of Epinephrine (an acutely toxic substance). The solutions must be collected as nonhazardous waste for disposal.

17 Pharmaceutical Wastes Expired or partially used drugs may not be discarded in the trash, RMW or down the drain. NY Attorney General has proposing a ban on drain disposal of unused & expired pharmaceuticals.

18 Segregating Wastes It is VERY important that each type of recyclable waste is placed into the appropriate labeled container. Nothing other than the intended material should be placed in the recycling container. Sharps (needles and scalpels) Gloves Debris/trash PPE (personal protective equipment) Placing materials in the wrong container can result in the material being rejected at the recycling facility and regulatory fines & penalities.

19 Questions? Thanks for your attention!