Running a dental office is surprisingly complex. Between the administrative tasks, staying current with technology and dental procedures, and ensuring patients get the best possible care, there’s often not much spare time. Things not immediately demanding, like what to do with obsolete or unused equipment, frequently get ignored in the rush. However, because of the nature of the tools dentists use, waste, both medical and electronic, are subject to strict regulations for disposal. Some offices are surprised to learn that many electronic items in modern dental offices are hazardous and must be handled by professional, certified e-waste companies such as TechWaste Recycling.
X-Ray Machines Can be Hazardous in Surprising Ways
Just the word “x-ray” sounds a little frightening, and most people don’t take them lightly. Yet the tube that produces X-rays has no danger beyond any vacuum tube when unpowered (if it shatters the glass shards may injure you). Once shut off, X-ray machines produce and contain no ionizing radiation, but this isn’t the end of the story. Lead, Cobalt 60, beryllium, and other hazardous waste metals may be contained within the device. X-ray machines manufactured prior to 1980 may also contain polychlorinated biphenyls in the transformer oil. As a rough rule of thumb, the older the machine, the more likely it will contain hazardous materials. The Environmental Protection Agency generally prohibits the introduction of these substances into landfills, and some states even mandate notification to their state agencies that X-ray machines no longer in use are properly reused, recycled, or destroyed.
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X-Ray Films Are Also Considered Hazardous Materials
In the United States, it’s illegal to put X-ray film in the garbage or a landfill. Not only does HIPAA require old medical records to be properly discarded, but the film itself has chemicals that require proper disposal. The special film uses a silver emulsion that’s flammable and highly reactive, so federal and some state laws require that they be destroyed by an organization certified to handle it. Professional e-waste companies can extract the silver for reuse and ensure the permanent destruction of private medical records.
TechWaste Recycling is one of the leading data destruction and electronics waste recyclers for medical offices. Having served the community for over 2 decades, they offer free pickup of many electronic items common to professional dental offices. They are R2:2013-certified to handle all e-waste and use the most up-to-date methods for complete data destruction in full compliance with all HIPAA and state privacy regulations. They’ll reuse or recycle your X-ray machines and ensure all films are responsibly destroyed. They assign an e-waste specialist to all commercial accounts to assess your needs and provide the most cost-effective methods specific to your medical office.
TechWaste Recycling directly services all of Southern California and provides pickup services to its facilities from nationwide locations. Visit TechWaste Recycling’s website at www.techwasterecycling.com to schedule a pickup that works for your convenience and schedule.
Learn more about TechWaste’s dental equipment recycling process here: Dental Equipment Recycling and Decommissioning
Contact Info:
Richard Steffens
1940 E. Occidental street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 866-637-8469
