# 12th ANNUAL

EPA NEW ENGLAND PRETREATMENT COORDINATORS WORKSHOP

October 13=14, 2010 

# Amalgam Separator Inspection



# 101

AL Dube SolmeteX a division of Layne Christensen

508-307-9725 adube@solmetex.com 

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# Best Management Practoices

BMPws

# Amalgam Waste

Contact / Non-contact Chair-side Traps Vacuum Pum - p Filters Expended capsules Amalgam separator containers

# What are we talking about?



# Managing: Dental amalgam capsules Chair-side Traps :. ~



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# Dental Amalgam Waste Storage

Amalgam waste "must" be stored in air-tight and leak proof container. (The 

# ADA has an 

# ADA/ANSI Specification for recycling amalgam waste. Much of the specification relates to what the recycler will handle, but it also addresses the nature of the container used in the dental office.)

# What to do.

Labeled bucket with the date of initial placement of waste in the bucket. Container needs to be closed at all times except when adding or removing from the container. Waste container should be recycled no longer than one year from initial placement of waste in the bucket.

# Part of the BMP

Maintain and operate the amalgam separator when installed according to its manufactures specifications.

# Recycling of Mercury

All amalgam / mercury waste should be recycled Name and address of waste handler needs to be documented Name and address of inercury recycler should also be documented

# Retorting The process by which mercury is recovered from wastes

# Know the difference
Mercury Recycler vs Mercury Refiners Mercury Recyclers Retorts Mercury wastes received refines the mercury to be resold Metals Refiner: sometimes collects Hg, however usually consolidates Hg to be sent to a recycler.

# Amalgam Separators?

# EPA Updatem, Hot off the press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 27, 2010 

# EPA Will Propose Rule to Protect Waterways by Reducing Mercury from Dental Offices Existing technology is available to capture dental mercury

# What is an Amalgam Separator.?

First: The Amal am Separator name is incomplete. 

# THESE ARE SOLIDS COLLECTORS Separate amalgam and every other solid material suctioned down the vacuum line. Second: Mercury is not the target, solids are.

# What do they do.P Amalgam Separators capture "Mercury" by default not by design Treat contamination at its source (P2) Separate suspended solid and water from air flow@ Designed to capture 99% of solids not total mercury

# What does that mean to you ?

. Maybe you might want to think about getting your ducks in a row.

# Th'ings to th'ink about Start setting up protocols. Appears the ruling will be a Categorical Standard (CS) CS trigger mandatory inspections of dental offices.

# ISO 11143 Certification
International Standards Organization A protocol for testing systems in a laboratory environment It is a particle standard by weight (Not mercury) Weigh at the start Weigh after drying Results based on a%

of solids removal 

# Standard to pass is 95% ISO Standard reissued in 2008 with not significant cha nges (AOA, SolmeteX on committee)

# Where to f*Ind the separator in a

dental office Almost all separators will be in the same place as the vacuum pump. Most dental offices have a utility closet for vacuum pumps, compressors etc. Most office personnel will know where the utility closet is

# What to look for. Proper installation System should be plumbed with the incoming line from the dental chairs entering the system. The discharge from the separator should be plumbed to the pump or an air water separator tank. On rare occasion you may find a separator after an existing air-water separator. (Only at larger dental facilities) Its possible there may be chair-side systems, Military.

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# How do you know? Bring a flashlight Most system in New England will be clear
For those that are not: Check the paper
- work, certificates of recycle or receipt Frequency of change our.

# System size: Does size matter? Each separator has a collection capacity. How to know: Do some research: Clear systems you can see. "Black Box" systems you cannot see, therefore know the volume.

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Wet System Dry System

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Flow under vacuum is not the same as flow under positive pressure
Chair #1 Chair #2 Chair #3 Vacuum Pump

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# Amalgam Separators 

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# Metasys ECO 11 

# Additional Separators (Opaque)

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R&D Services CH 18 SolmeteX Hg5

# Hg Free Water to Drain

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# Additional Installations

# A clogged system is a failed system
In by-pass mode Discharging amalgam / mercury to the sewer Potentially shut down the vacuum system