IADR Abstract Archives
MERCURY LEVELS in WASTEWATER SAMPLES at WITS ORAL HEALTH CENTRE (WOHC)
Objectives: Dental amalgam is an essential restorative material in oral health care in South Africa. Dental amalgam is composed of 43-50% mercury. Over the past 40 years, advancing knowledge of mercury toxicity to the environment and life has led to concerns over the waste produced during the placement and removal of dental amalgam.
The study aimed to determine mercury levels in wastewater, describe amalgam procurement pattern and the application of the best management practices (BMPs) for dental amalgam use at the Wits Oral Health Centre (WOHC) of the School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand.
Methods: The wastewater generated during the study period was diverted, collected, and sampled. The samples were analysed for mercury concentrations using USEPA method 245.7 - Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The amalgam procurement records at WOHC were accessed and analysed. A structured interview of the clinic supervisors was used to investigate the application of the BMPs for dental amalgam use.
Results: The study revealed that the levels of mercury in wastewater samples at the WOHC ranged from 1.048 mg/L to 108.762 mg/L. Increasing procurement of dental amalgam over nine years and inadequate adherence to the BMPs for dental amalgam use were also identified.
Conclusions: Conclusion
The mercury levels observed were higher than the limits allowed by the Johannesburg Municipality by-laws and calls for an urgent need to institute BMPs for dental amalgam use at the WOHC. The establishment of the BMPs should happen conjointly with introducing handling and disposal technologies and an update in the regulations and guidelines for healthcare waste management in South Africa.
The study aimed to determine mercury levels in wastewater, describe amalgam procurement pattern and the application of the best management practices (BMPs) for dental amalgam use at the Wits Oral Health Centre (WOHC) of the School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand.
Methods: The wastewater generated during the study period was diverted, collected, and sampled. The samples were analysed for mercury concentrations using USEPA method 245.7 - Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The amalgam procurement records at WOHC were accessed and analysed. A structured interview of the clinic supervisors was used to investigate the application of the BMPs for dental amalgam use.
Results: The study revealed that the levels of mercury in wastewater samples at the WOHC ranged from 1.048 mg/L to 108.762 mg/L. Increasing procurement of dental amalgam over nine years and inadequate adherence to the BMPs for dental amalgam use were also identified.
Conclusions: Conclusion
The mercury levels observed were higher than the limits allowed by the Johannesburg Municipality by-laws and calls for an urgent need to institute BMPs for dental amalgam use at the WOHC. The establishment of the BMPs should happen conjointly with introducing handling and disposal technologies and an update in the regulations and guidelines for healthcare waste management in South Africa.