White House Places Freeze on New Amalgam Separator Rule
Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule in December on the need for most dental practices to install amalgam separators, in mid-January the White House issued a freeze on all new or pending regulations until such time that a presidential designee reviews and approves the rule.
Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule in December on the need for most dental practices to install amalgam separators, in mid-January the White House issued a freeze on all new or pending regulations until such time that a presidential designee reviews and approves the rule. Once the freeze is lifted — and if the amalgam separator regulation passes executive review — the rule will take effect 30 days after being published in the Federal Register.
In the meantime, dental teams who have questions about pending federal requirements can find answers at recycleamalgamwaste.com. Hosted by Dental Recycling North America, this online resource provides information about the EPA’s national standards, including the need for dental teams to properly collect, handle and recycle waste generated during placement or removal of amalgam restorations.
From Decisions in Dentistry. March 2017;3(3):11.
