Mercury is freely available in chemical markets in India. It is sold openly and one
does not require any kind of authorization to buy this toxic metal. In developed countries,
the use of mercury in various products is either banned or regulated. There are various
provisions and acts pertaining to the prevention and control of pollution and protection of
the environment. Mercury finds place in some of them, but nothing that deals with it
specifically. The nature and extent of threat from the deadly metal makes it a candidate
for specific attention. While mercury contamination of dental-unit waste water is one
contributor to the environmental burden of clinical dentistry, the disposal of solid wastes
is another major concern. As potential exists for mercury to be transformed into more
toxic species, new regulation and methods should be designed to remove mercury from
dental waste to minimize the production of organic mercury.