IQAir offers the Dental Series Air Purification and this Dental Hg Advanced Air Purifier for Dental Offices to eliminate VOCs, biological and mercury aerosols.

The IQAir Dental Series consists of two models, the Dental Pro and the Dental Hg FlexVac, which were specifically developed for pollution control in dental offices. Both units come in a neutral white and light grey design to integrate perfectly into all dental offices.

The Dental Pro is a room air purifier that uses five filtration stages to help eliminate common dental office contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, VOCs, disinfectant odors and mercury vapors. It is designed to be placed anywhere in a dental office and clean the air by constant recirculation within the office.

The Dental Hg FlexVac is a mobile air cleaning system with a flexible suction duct. The unit is designed to capture drill aerosols, abrasion powder and mercury vapors during dental procedures. The flexible suction duct is typically placed on the patient's chest from where it directly captures drill aerosols and mercury vapors before they can spread.

Mercury (Hg)
Numerous studies show that dentists and their staff have higher than average levels of inorganic mercury (Hg) in their blood and urine. Since mercury is odorless and transforms from solid to gas a room temperature, the dangers of chronic exposure to mercury can easily remain undetected. Mercury vapor is not only released and potentially inhaled when dental amalgam is placed, but also when these fillings are removed. The dental office itself can become a secondary source of mercury vapor exposure to dentists and staff. Over the years, mercury may have gotten into floors, cracks of chairs or sinks and may now continuously release mercury vapor into the room.

Disinfectants
Chemical disinfectants are being used in the dental practice to decontaminate hands, instruments and surfaces. Disinfectants that kill germs, viruses, and fungi spores often contain formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or phenol. Aldehydes are well-known for their sensitizing potential and their inhalation toxicity. Exposure to aldehydes at low doses on a continuous basis may lead to chronic toxic effects, the symptoms of which are mostly unspecific (nausea, impairment of the memory, motivation, reactivity or dexterity). Even less toxic alcoholic compounds, such as ethanol, isopropanol, and n-propanol, can cause irritation of the respiratory tracts and the mucous membranes. An unpleasant disinfectant odor is often the only sign that unhealthy air pollutants are present.

Latex Allergens
The use of protective latex gloves can cause allergic reactions due to body contact or inhalation of latex allergens. These allergens adhere to the talcum powder particles of the glove and can thus become airborne.

X-Ray Development Chemicals
For the development of x-ray films several organic chemicals, such as glutaraldehyde, are being used. These chemicals give off gases that can contribute to the contamination of the ambient air in dental environments.

Applications include:
Microbiological control

• Airborne viruses and bacteria

• Aerosolized tissue and fluids
• Aerosolized viruses and bacteria

• Combustion particles
• Powder particles
• Polishing particles

• Mercury Vapors

• Formaldehyde
• Alcohol

• Solvents
• Plasticizing agents

1. Micro- and Nano-particle Filtration (HEPA) Eliminates micro- and nano-particles such as allergens, smoke, bacteria and viruses. This thorough particle pre-filtration is essential for extending the life of the gas phase control media by preventing its pores from clogging with particulates. 2. Specialized cartridge-based molecular control Four filter cartridges hold up to 17 lbs. of granular and/or pellet-shaped gas phase control media. Dental Pro: 2 cartridges with wide-spectrum chemical control media 2 cartridges with mercury vapor control media Dental Hg FlexVac: 4 cartridges with mercury vapor control media Micro-charged Filtration (Post Filter Sleeves) Eliminates activated carbon and chemisorption abrasion particles through a statically charged fiber structure.