Related Links

This section of the Mercury and the Environment web site provides general information on mercury and dentistry and contains resources to assist the dental community with the management of amalgam waste. This section also provides information on:

• The Canada-wide Standard on Mercury for Dental Amalgam Waste;

• The Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Dental Association and Environment Canada for the voluntary implementation of the CWS;

• National requirements and resources for managing amalgam waste; and

• Provincial/territorial requirements and resources , including regulations and bylaws, and useful publications such as the waste management flow charts developed in Ontario.

In Canada, amalgam continues to be used for tooth restorations due to its durability and low cost. During the placement and removal of mercury-containing amalgam fillings, mercury can be released to the environment. While individual dental practices can seem to generate small amounts of mercury waste, cumulatively, the amount generated from the over 17,000 dentists in Canada is considerable.

National implementation of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) agreed upon by the Canadian Dental Association and Environment Canada can prevent almost all mercury releases from the dental sector. For example, installing an ISO 11143 certified amalgam separator and properly managing amalgam waste can play a major role in preventing waste amalgam from ending up in sewer systems, landfills and municipal or biomedical incinerators. The Canada-wide Standard on Mercury for Dental Amalgam Waste calls for dentists across Canada to adopt Best Management Practices by 2005.

Mercury is a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Dental amalgam waste is one of several significant sources of mercury that are managed in Canada to reduce potential impacts of mercury on the environment.