What should not be mixed with medical "red bag" waste according to regulatory guidelines?

The correct answer is that amalgam and elemental mercury should not be mixed with medical "red bag" waste. This distinction is essential due to the hazardous nature of these materials. Amalgam and elemental mercury are considered toxic and potentially harmful to the environment and human health. Regulations mandate that these substances be handled separately to ensure proper disposal methods that prevent contamination and comply with environmental regulations.

In contrast, while extracted teeth, used dental gloves, and broken dental instruments may also require careful disposal, they do not pose the same level of environmental risk as amalgam and mercury. Extracted teeth are typically considered biohazard waste and can be disposed of in red bag waste, while used gloves and instruments must also adhere to safe infection control protocols but do not carry the same toxicity. Therefore, amalgam and elemental mercury are specifically singled out for separate handling due to their hazardous properties.