Pa. DEP Applauds Dental Assoc.'s Waste Management Guidelines

“Regulations for the handling of many of these waste materials can be very complicated,” DiPasquale said. “Finding information on how and where to process and dispose of small amounts can be difficult. The manual provides this information in a concise, easy-to-understand format, and promotes responsible waste reduction procedures.”

“DEP and PDA have been working for years to educate Pennsylvania dentists about the proper handling and disposal of wastes generated during office procedures,” said PDA President Stephen J. Jaworski, DMD. “PDA recommends reduction and recycling of wastes whenever possible, and these issues are addressed in the Waste Management Guidelines manual.”

The manual originally was published in 2001 with assistance from corporate partners Safety-Kleen and Kodak. The manual lists hazardous chemicals commonly found in dental offices, recommendations for proper processing and disposal and contact information for waste handlers who will accept mercury, silver, lead and infectious and hazardous wastes.

The updated manual includes a “Quick Reference” card with the latest contact information and processing requirements for approved waste handlers that recycle or dispose of these materials. The new manual will be sent to all licensed dentists in Pennsylvania.

For more information on PDA, visit its Web site at www.padental.org.

For more information on waste management, visit DEP’s Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: “Waste Management.”