Waste Management Infection Prevention and Control Policy No.24

Disposal of Amalgam Waste from Dental Care (18.01.10) Waste managementregulations.Teeth in general are treated as non-anatomical infectious waste but any teeth containingamalgam must be treated separately. Amalgam waste is hazardous from mercury and to alesser extent from the other constituents of the amalgam (e.g. silver and tin). This waste mustbe sent to a suitable licensed contractor to recover constituent components. All dental practicesare required to have amalgam separators fitted and all waste materials containing orcontaminated with mercury are classified as hazardous waste.Disposal of MercuryMercury spillage or items that contain mercury may only be disposed of through a licensedwaste disposal contractor. Under no circumstances can it be disposed of in sewerage, clinicalor household waste. Mercury spillage kits should be used where possible and assessmentsmade of whether the use of mercury can be minimised.Disposal of placentas and midwifery wasteWaste generated by community midwives should be dealt with appropriately.Placentas should be places in a yellow clinical waste bag and placed in a rigid placenta box andlid secured firmly (self sealing lids). The placenta box should be left in a secure location withother high risk clinical waste and a collection arranged.Waste contaminated by body fluids is high risk and should be disposed of as yellow clinicalwaste; this waste must be transported in a rigid leak proof container.Disposal of urine specimensUrine specimens must be disposed of in an appropriate manor. If a sluice or toilet is availablenear to point of testing they can be discarded then flushed.If none of the above is available specimens must be gelled (Verna gel)clinical waste (orange bags).then disposed of asCarriage of waste by community nurses.Sharps containers must be transported with temporary closer secure, in a secondary rigidcontainer or in a secured unit for transport in car boots.Clinical waste that cannot be left at the point of generation must be transported in a rigid leakproof container.Page 18 of 33