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Vermont’s Dental Amalgam Separator Pilot Project

Vermont’s Dental Amalgam Separator Pilot Project. Field Testing Observations and Practical Considerations in Choosing an Amalgam Separator Gary Gulka, VT DEC. BACKGROUND. Vermont’s Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution commissioned study on separators

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Vermont’s Dental Amalgam Separator Pilot Project

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

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

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

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

  5. Catch 1000 (REBEC)

  6. Hg 5 (Solmetex)

  7. ECO II (Metasys)

  8. Guardian (Air Techniques)

  9. Rasch 890 (AB Dental Trends)

  10. Merc II (Bio-Sym)

  11. Cost Comparisons

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

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

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

  15. Pilot Project Report • Report available at www.mercvt.org

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