Side-Effects: Mercury Contribution to Body Burden From Dental Amalgam

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. Reinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Body Burden ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Human Tissues ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this paper is to examine and report on studies that relate mercury levels in human tissues to the presence of dental amalgams, giving special attention to autopsy studies. Until recently, there have been few published studies examining the relationship between dental amalgams and tissue mercury levels. Improved and highly sensitive tissue analysis techniques have made it possible to measure elements in the concentration range of parts per billion. The fact that mercury can be absorbed and reach toxic levels in human tissues makes any and all exposure to that element of scientific interest. Dental amalgams have long been believed to be of little significance as contributors to the overall body burden of mercury, because the elemental form of mercury is rapidly consumed in the setting reaction of the restoration. Studies showing measurable elemental mercury vapor release from dental amalgams have raised renewed concern about amalgam safety. Mercury vapor absorption occurs through the lungs, with about 80% of the inhaled vapor being absorbed by the lungs and rapidly entering the bloodstream. Following distribution by blood circulation, mercury can enter and remain in certain tissues for longer periods of time, since the half-life of excretion is prolonged. Two of the primary target organs of concern are the central nervous system and kidneys.

Effect of occupational exposure to elemental mercury in the amalgam on thymulin hormone production among dental staff

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
SA Farahat ◽  
LA Rashed ◽  
NH Zawilla ◽  
SM Farouk
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Blood Level ◽  
Body Burden ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Thymus Gland ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Dental Staff

Occupational exposure of dental staff to elemental mercury vapor released from dental amalgam is an issue of concern because of the possible immunological and neurological adverse outcomes. Recently, studies have reported that inorganic mercury induces immunosuppression by decreasing the production of thymus gland hormone (thymulin). This study aimed at investigating mercury body burden in dental staff and the relation of this burden to the potential impact of mercury on thymus gland hormone level (thymulin). Besides, the work aimed at verifying mercury effect on nitric oxide synthetase as a possible mechanism of its immunotoxicity. The study population consisted of a group of dental staff ( n = 39) [21 dentists and 18 nurses] and a matched control group ( n = 42). Each individual was subjected to detailed occupational and medical history taking and to estimation of urinary mercury (U-Hg) and blood mercury (B-Hg) as indicators of mercury body burden and exposure, respectively. Measurement of total thymulin hormone blood level, and plasma level of nitrite and nitrate (indicators of nitric oxide) was also done. The study showed a significantly increased U-Hg and B-Hg levels in the dental staff compared to their controls. This elevation of mercury body burden was associated with significant reduction in thymulin hormone blood level and nitric oxide parameters. These results were more evident in the group of nurses compared to the dentists. In conclusion, our results show that dentists and dental nurses have significant exposure to mercury vapor and point to the negative impact of mercury on thymus gland functions and confirm the implication that the nitric oxide pathway is a possible mechanism for this impact. Moreover, the study raises attention to the importance of hygiene measures in reduction of exposure to mercury vapor released from dental amalgam.

scholarly journals Rethinking the Dental Amalgam Dilemma: An Integrated Toxicological Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Jirau-Colón ◽  
Leonardo González-Parrilla ◽  
Jorge Martinez-Jiménez ◽  
Waldemar Adam ◽  
Braulio Jiménez-Velez
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Toxic Pollutant ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
Dental Amalgam Fillings ◽  
Amalgam Fillings

Mercury (Hg) has been identified as one of the most toxic nonradioactive materials known to man. Although mercury is a naturally occurring element, anthropogenic mercury is now a major worldwide concern and is an international priority toxic pollutant. It also comprises one of the primary constituents of dental amalgam fillings. Even though dental mercury amalgams have been used for almost two centuries, its safety has never been tested or proven in the United States by any regulatory agency. There has been an ongoing debate regarding the safety of its use since 1845, and many studies conclude that its use exposes patients to troublesome toxicity. In this review, we present in an objective way the danger of dental amalgam to human health based on current knowledge. This dilemma is addressed in terms of an integrated toxicological approach by focusing on four mayor issues to show how these interrelate to create the whole picture: (1) the irrefutable constant release of mercury vapor from dental amalgams which is responsible for individual chronic exposure, (2) the evidence of organic mercury formation from dental amalgam in the oral cavity, (3) the effect of mercury exposure on gene regulation in human cells which supports the intrinsic genetic susceptibility to toxicant and, finally, (4) the availability of recent epidemiological data supporting the link of dental amalgams to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson.

The Science and Politics of Dental Amalgam

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hellen Gelband
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Mercury Exposure ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Filling Material ◽  
Science And Politics ◽  
Dental Amalgam Fillings ◽  
Amalgam Fillings

AbstractDental amalgam—a mixture of elemental mercury and a silver-dominated metal alloy—has been the most widely used dental filling material for well over a century. Alternative materials exist but are not well suited for some important applications, and all are more expensive than amalgam. The toxic effects of occupational mercury exposure have long been known, but it was not until about 1980 that serious consideration was given to the possibility that mercury vapor escaping from amalgam fillings might be affecting health, specifically producing subtle effects on the central nervous system. Such effects have been reported among dentists and other dental personnel, whose exposures are well below industrial levels but above those from fillings alone. No large studies have been completed that examine the effects of mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings. In the face of inadequate evidence on the possible risks of dental amalgam, countries have reacted disparately. Sweden is phasing out amalgam entirely, possibly by the end of 1997. Germany has produced guidelines for limiting its use, other countries have signaled their intention to reduce it, and others—the United States and Canada—have studied the matter but taken no action. Policy differences within Europe have made dental amalgam a test case for the European Community's new medical device regulations. Relatively little epidemiologic research has been initiated to try to answer the question of dental amalgam's possible health effects. An international effort to define and carry out a research agenda to guide public policy is called for.

Estimation of Mercury Body Burden from Dental Amalgam: Computer Simulation of a Metabolic Compartmental Model

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 1415-1419 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Vimy ◽  
A.J. Luft ◽  
F.L. Lorscheider
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Body Burden ◽  
Compartment Model ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
The Body ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Total Body

Estimated release rates of Hg vapor from dental amalgams permitted calculation of the potential Hg body burden by employing a four-compartment model for inorganic and elemental Hg distribution. A computer program, compatible with most personal computers, simulated the cumulative and incremental distribution in each compartment and total body accumulation between 1 and 10,000 days for different daily Hg dosages. For a given Hg dose of 30 μ g/day, metabolic compartments R1-R3 were close to equilibrium at 5, 100, and 300 days, respectively; whereas by 10,000 days, R4 closely approximated total body burden and had not yet attained equilibrium. Projected values obtained with the computer model were consistent with results obtained by another method using a standard tissue burden equation, which employed experimentally determined tissue half-lives for blood and CNS. The model predicted that continuous exposure to elemental Hg vapor, at 30 μ g/day for 10 years, would result in a total Hg body burden of 5.9 mg, of which 4.8 mg could be contained in R4. Assuming that the Hg in R4 displayed uniform distribution throughout the body, then the brain concentration was estimated to be 68 nglg wet weight. In contrast, if Hg in R4 reflected long-term preferential accumulation in brain and other neural tissue, then concentrations as high as 4.0 μ g/g could be attained. However, predictions of Hg concentrations in blood and urine were well within established ranges, and were unlikely to be of utility in assessing effects of chronic low-dose Hg exposure. It is concluded that the CNS could accumulate a substantial amount of Hg over extended time, based on low-dose elemental Hg vapor exposure via inhalation from dental amalgams.

scholarly journals Dental Amalgams and the Incidence Rate of Arthritis among American Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117954412110162
Author(s):  
David A Geier ◽  
Mark R Geier
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Unexposed Group ◽  
Dependent Relationship ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
Annual Total ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Annual Total Cost

This hypothesis-testing study evaluated the relationship between mercury (Hg)-based dental amalgams and arthritis diagnoses among adults in the United States (US). A total of 86 305 425 weighted-persons with ⩾1 dental amalgam filling surface (DAFS) (exposed group) and 32 201 088 weighted-persons with ⩾1 other dental filling surface (ODFS) (no DAFS, unexposed group) were examined in the 2015 to 2016 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). All persons were 20 to 80 years-old with known demographic characteristics and arthritis status. Survey logistic regression and survey frequency modeling in SAS were employed with and without adjustment of covariates. The arthritis rate was significantly increased in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group in the unadjusted (7.68-fold) and adjusted (4.89-fold) models. Arthritis (per 10 000 weighted-person-years) was 6.0-fold significantly increased in the exposed group (6.2) compared to the unexposed group (1.06). A significant bimodal dose-dependent relationship between DAFS and arthritis rate was observed. The arthritis rate increased with increasing DAFS (peak among persons with 4-7 DAFS) and, subsequently, decreased among those with >6 DAFS. A significant decrease in arthritis rate among persons with >13 DAFS as compared to those persons with 4 to 7 DAFS was observed. A significant association between DAFS and arthritis risk and a dose-dependent DAFS associated immune-stimulation/immune-suppression with arthritis risk were observed. An estimated additional $96 835 814 US dollars (USD) are spent on annual medical costs and $184 797 680 USD are lost in annual wages from reported new onset arthritis attributably associated with DAFS (annual total cost = $281 633 494 USD).

scholarly journals Dental amalgam risks in dental staff: systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 319 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Abdelkarim Manyani ◽  
Hanane Chaou ◽  
Naima Rhalem ◽  
Abdelmajid Soulaymani ◽  
Rachida Soulaymani Bencheikh
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Dental Staff ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Dental Amalgam Fillings ◽  
Harmful Effects

Mercury is an essential constituent of dental amalgams, several studies have shown that dental personnel who work with dental amalgams are chronically exposed to mercury vapors. The World Health Organization considers that inhaling mercury vapors can have harmful effects on the nervous, immune, pulmonary and renal systems. The objective of this review was to collect and analyze data relating to the exposure of dental personnel to mercury and the possible harmful effects on human health. All biomonitoring studies published between 2002 and 2019 measuring mercury in hair, blood, urine and nails were included. Dentists reported higher levels of mercury in their biomarkers compared to control groups. These levels reflected occupational exposures to chronic low levels of elemental mercury in dental amalgam fillings. Some studies have shown a high prevalence of neurological symptoms and memory deficit in dental staff compared to controls. Studies based on genes involved in mercury metabolism have shown associations between sources of mercury exposure and single nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes. It is important that preventive measures are strengthened to reduce exposure to mercury and that a biomonitoring program for dental professionals exposed to mercury vapors is implemented.

scholarly journals Dental Amalgam and Psychosocial Status: The New England Children’s Amalgam Trial

2008 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 470-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Bellinger ◽  
F. Trachtenberg ◽  
A. Zhang ◽  
M. Tavares ◽  
D. Daniel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
Psychosocial Outcomes ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Psychosocial Status

High-dose exposures to elemental mercury vapor cause emotional dysfunction, but it is uncertain whether the levels of exposure that result from having dental amalgam restorations do so. As part of the New England Children’s Amalgam Trial, a randomized trial involving 6- to 10-year-old children, we evaluated the hypothesis that restoration of caries using dental amalgam resulted in worse psychosocial outcomes than restoration using mercury-free composite resin. The primary outcome was the parent-completed Child Behavior Checklist. The secondary outcome was children’s self-reports using the Behavior Assessment System for Children. Children’s psychosocial status was evaluated in relation to three indices of mercury exposure: treatment assignment, surface-years of amalgam, and urinary mercury excretion. All significant associations favored the amalgam group. No evidence was found that exposure to mercury from dental amalgams was associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes over the five-year period following initial placement of amalgams.

Selective detection of elemental mercury vapor using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor

The Analyst ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 140 (16) ◽  
pp. 5508-5517 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Mohibul Kabir ◽  
Ylias M. Sabri ◽  
Glenn I. Matthews ◽  
Lathe A. Jones ◽  
Samuel J. Ippolito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Wave ◽  
Surface Acoustic Wave ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
Selective Detection ◽  
Experimental Demonstration ◽  
Saw Sensor ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Elemental Mercury Vapor

Theoretical and experimental demonstration that the developed SAW based sensor is highly sensitive and selective toward mercury vapor.

Mercury Vapor Release from Amalgam Restorations: An In Vitro Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
Girija Sajjan ◽  
Pradeep N Tavane ◽  
Deepak Mehta
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Practice Setting ◽  
Restorative Material ◽  
Amalgam Restorations ◽  
Elemental Mercury Vapor

ABSTRACT Dental amalgam has served as an excellent and versatile restorative material for more than 150 years despite periods of controversies. If we were to believe the opinions of some of the last decade, dental amalgam would not survive as a restorative material into the 21st century. Various forces at work seemed to doom it to extinction. The aim of the present study is to further characterize the factors that contribute to elemental mercury vapor exposure and to recommend how the practicing dentist can best minimize exposure in the practice setting.

Evaluación Cognitiva Montreal y consumo de alcohol: Un diagnóstico descriptivo del deterioro cognitivo en estudiantes universitarios de Durango, México

2019 ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Karla Liliana Pérez-Sosa ◽  
Edgar Felipe Lares-Bayona
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Toxic Substance ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Probabilistic Study ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Relationship

Alcohol is a toxic substance associated with acute and chronic disorders affecting the Central Nervous System and significantly altering brain function. Objective: To determine the relationship between cognitive impairment and alcohol consumption in university students of the Juárez University of the State of Durango. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative, non-probabilistic study, for convenience. A database was designed on the results obtained in a clinical interview on alcohol consumption and the application of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Contribution: The evaluation of cognitive functions show similar results, the male sex presented a better score in Attention and the female one in Orientation. More involvement was identified in the Deferred Memory functions in both groups. In relation to alcohol consumption, the cognitive functions evaluated show lower levels. The female gender was more evident cognitive impairment in relation to alcohol consumption being statistically significant (p <0.025). Alcohol consumption is a risky behavior that deserves to be recognized by the main actors about neurocognitive effects. Alcohol consumption prevention programs and cognitive diagnostic tools are appropriate strategies to reduce risk behaviors in mental health.

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