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 Vermont’s Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution commissioned study on separators Goal: Demonstrate separator technology in field Goal: Demonstrate separator technology in field Goal: Build political support and support of dental community Goal: Build political support and support of dental community Use as educational tool 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 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 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 Study focus: ease of installation, space and utility requirements, maintenance, effects on suction

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

13. Cost Comparisons

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

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

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

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