Vermonts Dental Amalgam Separator Pilot Project Field Testing

Vermont’s Dental Amalgam Separator Pilot Project Field Testing Observations and Practical Considerations in Choosing an Amalgam Separator Gary Gulka, VT DEC

BACKGROUND n Vermont’s Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution commissioned study on separators n Goal: Demonstrate separator technology in field Goal: Build political support and support of dental community n Use as educational tool n

BACKGROUND n Collaborated with vendors, VT Dental Society, and a dental dealer to select separators for the pilot and installation sites n 6 different brands of separators field tested at 18 dental clinics. Observed for 6 -8 months n Study focus: ease of installation, space and utility requirements, maintenance, effects on suction

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW n Wet vs Dry vacuum systems n Designed to remove amalgam particles too small to be removed by chairside traps n 3 technologies: sedimentation, filtration, ion exchange

Catch 1000 (REBEC)

Hg 5 (Solmetex)

ECO II (Metasys)

Guardian (Air Techniques)

Rasch 890 (AB Dental Trends)

Merc II (Bio-Sym)

Cost Comparisons

Considerations & Recommendations n Flow rates and ISO Compliance n Wet and Dry Vacuum Systems n Maintenance Cost Considerations n Servicing the Separator n Space Considerations

Considerations & Recommendations n Number of Chairs n Monitoring Solids Accumulation n Cleaning of Suction Lines n Warranty of Vacuum System n Large Systems n Bypass Issue

Next Steps n Amalgam separator requirement in place n Dental BMPs and self-certification program being developed – amalgam, hw, separators n Dental BMPs for amalgam separators Assistance will be provided n Develop list of ISO certified separators n

Pilot Project Report n Report available at www. mercvt. org