[Radiographic waste coming from Flemish dental offices. A survey of a representative sample of 373 Flemish dentists].

Apart from amalgam, the materials used for dental radiography also endanger the environment. The debate on toxic chemicals in dentistry is focused on the way these radiographic materials (fixator, developer, the small lead plates and the old roentgenograms) are discharged into the environment. This study investigated the answers to the following research questions: What is the total volume of fixator, developer, small lead plates and old roentgenograms that is used in Flemish dentistry and what part ends up in the household waste? How do Flemish dentists manage (store and dispose of) these radiographic materials? A randomly selected group of 500 dentists working in the Flemish part of Belgium was invited to answer a mail questionnaire. A total of 373 dentists responded (response rate 74.6%), providing a representative sample. Of the 2.1 million roentgenograms made yearly in Flemish dentistry only 160,000 are dropped in the household garbage can. About 70% of the 2.2 million small lead plates used yearly in Flemish dentistry is discharged in the household garbage, to end on the rubbish-dump or in the combustion furnace where the lead vapours will poison the surrounding air. Although the storing and the ecological responsible discharging of the pollutants fixator and developer does not pose any problems, most of these products are discharged into the sewage system: about 80% of the 80,000 liter developer and 75% of the 70,000 liter fixator used each year in Flemish dentistry.