The DEA regulates controlled substance use. Controlled substances are categorized based on their medical use, potential for abuse and safety or dependance liability. Usually, the Pharmacy department maintains this number. When returning a DEA Controlled Substance to the Pharmacy for disposal, the generator should package the drug in their original containers and deliver it by hand. Under no circumstances should a generator mix a controlled substance with a known hazardous chemical waste.
Dental Clinics generate distinct hazardous chemical waste streams.
Amalgams should be collected in glass or plastic containers with a screw top. Lead foil should be collected in a box and sealed with tape when full. Treating this waste stream by chemical destruction is not advisable. This is because the procedures are difficult to do and in at least one documented procedure the byproducts remain partially mutagenic. Also, certain procedures that use acid produce byproducts might be considered hazardous chemical waste.