Evacuation System Treats Aerosols With UV Radiation and Ozone

Richard Gawel

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The Externally Vented Aerosol and Droplet Evacuation (EVADE) System treats aerosols generated during dental procedures with ultraviolet (UV) radiation and exposure to ozone gas to deactivate and prevent the spread of infectious pathogens including the virus that causes COVID-19. It sends aerosols away from the treatment area and out of the building to help prevent inhalation or other contamination, according to the company.

EVADE uses an externally vented central vacuum system that produces up to 280 CFM of vacuum flow to facilitate the collection of potentially contaminated aerosols and droplets generated by instrumentation of any type within dentistry, the company said. It collects the aerosols within a mirrored chamber, reflecting UV light in all directions and exposing them to ozone before moving them through HEPA particle filtration. While other systems recirculate the collected air, the company continued, EVADE removes them from the environment by venting them outdoors through the exhaust of the central vacuum system.

UV radiation destroys DNA molecules and pathogen proteins. But ozone is even more effective, the company said, because it causes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens to undergo cellular degradation and destruction, the company said. But ozone can’t be introduced into occupied treatment areas. Without ozone, UV’s effectiveness in HEPA filtration is more limited, the company said, and re-introducing aerosols treated only with UV HEPA filtration into the occupied environment carries risk if filtration fails or the UV bulb loses effectiveness.

EVADE incorporates ozone to provide a higher rate of destruction of pathogens, the company said. But the toxic effects of ozone on the respiratory system of human beings in an occupied environment must be avoided. EVADE does not contaminate the air of the treatment area with ozone or pathogens due to its external venting of ozone-treated aerosols, the company said.

EVADE is positioned near the source to collect, disinfect, filter, and remove potentially contaminated oral aerosols from dental treatment areas. It is a comprehensive solution to address requirements for patient safety and prevent any recirculation into the treatment environment, the company said. Also, EVADE collects mercury vapors, which can be released during the removal of amalgam fillings during treatment as well.

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