Amalgam (dentistry) disposal. Dental amalgam is the largest source of mercury received by U.S. treatment plants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated an effluent guidelines regulation in 2017 which prohibits most dental practices from disposing dental amalgam waste down the drain. Most dental offices in the U.S. are required to use an amalgam separator in their drain system. The separator captures the waste material, which is then recycled. The European Commission has issued a Waste Directive that classifies amalgam waste as a hazardous waste. The waste should be separated from other waste by fitting amalgam separators in all dental practices. Mercury
Amalgam tattoo amalgam tattoos are managed by simple reassurance about the nature of the lesion. For example, if radio-opaque particles are demonstrated on the x-ray, biopsy is unnecessary. Amalgam tattoo is found in up to 1% of people in the general population. It is the most common cause of solitary or focal pigmentation of the oral mucosa. Amalgam tattoo Amalgam tattoo (also termed localized argyrosis, or focal argyrosis) is a grey, blue or black area of discoloration on the mucous membranes of the mouth, typically on the gums of the lower jaw. It is an iatrogenic lesion, caused by entry of dental