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FY1999 Great Lakes Projects

Mercury Removal from the Dental-Unit Waste Stream

Mercury Removal from the Dental-Unit Waste Stream (DW17947929-01-0: $80,000)

Recipient: U.S. Navy, Great Lakes Naval Station, Naval Dental Research Institute

Project Period: 9/1/99 to 8/31/00

Project Officer: Edward Klappenbach

The interagency agreement provides funds to the Naval Dental Research Institute to examine the mercury removal from the dental-unit wastewater stream. Dental mercury is concentrated in fresh-and salt-water food chains, and both mono and dimethylmercury can be produced in bottom sediments by non-enzymatic methylation. The project shall:

Educate practioners as to the importance of reducing heavy metal contamination from their dental-unit wastewater streams;
Provide an electronic resource where practioners can locate sources, materials, supplies, and help in removing heavy metals from the waste stream;
Establish a cadre of qualified personnel to speak to dental professionals on the subject of amalgam hazards, collection, and recycling; and
Install, test, and evaluate pretreatment systems for both large and small dental treatment facilities.