NEW EFFLUENT REGULATIONS FOR DENTAL OFFICES
On June 14, 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Dental Office Point Source Category (40 CFR Part 441) that became effective on July 14, 2017. 40 CFR Part 441 covers dental facilities— including, but not limited to, institutions, permanent or temporary offices, clinics, home offices, and facilities owned and operated by federal, state or local governments, that discharge wastewater to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW)—that place and remove dental amalgam, which contains mercury. Facilities that exclusively practice oral pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, or prosthodontics are not covered by this regulation. Existing dental facilities covered by this regulation have until July 14, 2020, to achieve compliance with the regulation. Any new dental facilities since July 14, 2017, must comply with the regulation before discharge begins