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

Vermont’s Dental Vermont’s Dental Amalgam Amalgam

Separator Pilot Separator Pilot ProjectProject

Field Testing Observations Field Testing Observations and Practical Considerations and Practical Considerations

in Choosing an Amalgam in Choosing an Amalgam SeparatorSeparator

Gary Gulka, VT DECGary Gulka, VT DEC

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Vermont’s Advisory Committee on Vermont’s Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution commissioned Mercury Pollution commissioned study on separatorsstudy on separators

Goal: Demonstrate separator Goal: Demonstrate separator technology in fieldtechnology in field

Goal: Build political support and Goal: Build political support and support of dental communitysupport of dental community

Use as educational toolUse as educational tool

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND Collaborated with vendors, VT Dental Collaborated with vendors, VT Dental

Society, and a dental dealer to select Society, and a dental dealer to select separators for the pilot and installation sitesseparators for the pilot and installation sites

6 different brands of separators field tested 6 different brands of separators field tested at 18 dental clinics. Observed for 6-8 at 18 dental clinics. Observed for 6-8 monthsmonths

Study focus: ease of installation, space and Study focus: ease of installation, space and utility requirements, maintenance, effects on utility requirements, maintenance, effects on suctionsuction

TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

Wet vs Dry vacuum systemsWet vs Dry vacuum systems

Designed to remove amalgam Designed to remove amalgam particles too small to be removed by particles too small to be removed by chairside trapschairside traps

3 technologies: sedimentation, 3 technologies: sedimentation, filtration, ion exchangefiltration, ion exchange

Catch 1000Catch 1000

(REBEC)(REBEC)

Hg 5Hg 5

(Solmetex)(Solmetex)

ECO IIECO II

(Metasys)(Metasys)

GuardianGuardian

(Air Techniques)(Air Techniques)

Rasch 890Rasch 890

(AB Dental Trends)(AB Dental Trends)

Merc IIMerc II

(Bio-Sym)(Bio-Sym)

Cost ComparisonsCost Comparisons

Considerations & Considerations & RecommendationsRecommendations

Flow rates and ISO ComplianceFlow rates and ISO Compliance

Wet and Dry Vacuum SystemsWet and Dry Vacuum Systems

Maintenance Cost ConsiderationsMaintenance Cost Considerations

Servicing the SeparatorServicing the Separator

Space ConsiderationsSpace Considerations

Considerations & Considerations & RecommendationsRecommendations

Number of ChairsNumber of Chairs

Monitoring Solids AccumulationMonitoring Solids Accumulation

Cleaning of Suction LinesCleaning of Suction Lines

Warranty of Vacuum SystemWarranty of Vacuum System

Large SystemsLarge Systems

Bypass IssueBypass Issue

Next StepsNext Steps

Amalgam separator requirement in Amalgam separator requirement in placeplace

Dental BMPs and self-certification Dental BMPs and self-certification program being developed – amalgam, program being developed – amalgam, hw, separatorshw, separators

Dental BMPs for amalgam separators Dental BMPs for amalgam separators

Assistance will be providedAssistance will be provided Develop list of ISO certified separatorsDevelop list of ISO certified separators

Pilot Project ReportPilot Project Report

Report available at Report available at www.mercvt.orgwww.mercvt.org