C22 Discuss potential environmental problems associated with the use of amalgams and how amalgam should be handled to minimize the extent of such problems. In addition, describe how amalgam capsules and amalgam scrap should be stored in your practice, and how to clean up mercury if you accidentally spill it in your office.
In some countries decisions have been made to phase out amalgam because of environmental concerns. The reason is simply that it is well documented that mercury release to the environment has caused serious environmental problems. These problems became quite obvious during the 60th when mercury was transferred up within the food chain. The source back than was particularly grains that had been treated to avoid fungus growth. In Iraq, such grains were by misstake used for preparing food. Thousands of people were intoxicated because of this error. Mercury that had been released via the waste water was also transferred via fish to humans, which resulted in the environmental catastrophe in Minimata in Japan.
In dentistry, the environmental problem relates to how we dispose empty capsules, contaminated cotton rolls and waste water. Empty capsules and contaminated cotton rolls should be treated as toxic waste and should not be burned. Regarding the waste water, there are certain mercury cleaning units available, but as long as these units are not required, there use will remain limited. Another source of mercury contamination is in regions close to crematories. It has been shown that in these regions the mercury level in the environment is significantly higher than in similar neighborhoods where there is no crematory.
To conclude: The biggest problem with the use of amalgam is the environmental hazard it may cause. This problem, though, can be substantially reduced or eliminated if amalgam waste is handled properly. Unfortunately, the latter will increase the cost of using amalgam, explaining in part a growing interest in finding alternative materials to amalgam.