scholarly journals Assessing the Environmental and Health Adverse Effects of Mercury Released From Dental Amalgam: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-104
Author(s):  
Reyhaneh Aftabi ◽  
◽  
Parisa Jafari ◽  
Marzieh Pirzadeh-Ashraf ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Mercury Level ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Composite Resins ◽  
Dental Assistants

This paper reviews the most available data on the possible adverse effects of mercury released from amalgam that comprises 50% pure mercury, 35% silver, 12-13 % tin, 2% copper, and up to 1% zinc, indium, platinum, and palladium. Despite the possible health risks of mercury from amalgam on the nervous, respiratory, renal, and endocrine systems, it is used in some countries; however, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, the United States, and Japan have long banned the use of amalgam. Amalgam restorations are one of the main mercury-releasing sources (1800-2700 tons per year) of contamination. During chewing, grinding, brushing of teeth, breaking down of amalgam, and as the temperature of the oral environment increases, mercury vapor will be released. The mercury vapor enters the atmosphere, wastewater in dental offices, all systemic organs, especially the lower respiratory tract and can affect the renal-urinary system or enters breast milk, fetus, and finally, transmits to infants. The mercury level released from amalgam in blood, urine, hair, and nail of large populations of dentists, dental assistants, and pregnant women is higher than the safe levels. The main neurological and psychological effects of mercury vapor are sleep disorders, amnesia, mental disorders, hair loss, memory disturbances, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, kidney diseases, gene toxicity, Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, skin allergies, cancer, infertility, low birth weight, and heart diseases. In order to avoid further amalgam risks to the dentists, dental assistants, pregnant women, and wildlife ecosystem, it is suggested to replace the dental amalgam with composite resins.

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.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection in pregnant women: characterization of symptoms and syndromes predictive of disease and severity through real-time, remote participatory epidemiology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Molteni ◽  
Christina M. Astley ◽  
Wenjie Ma ◽  
Carole H Sudre ◽  
Laura A. Magee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Disease ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptom Profile ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractObjectiveTo test whether pregnant and non-pregnant women differ in COVID-19 symptom profile and severity. To extend previous investigations on hospitalized pregnant women to those who did not require hospitalization.DesignObservational study prospectively collecting longitudinal (smartphone application interface) and cross-sectional (web-based survey) data.SettingCommunity-based self-participatory citizen surveillance in the United Kingdom, Sweden and the United States of America.PopulationTwo female community-based cohorts aged 18-44 years. The discovery cohort was drawn from 1,170,315 UK, Sweden and USA women (79 pregnant tested positive) who self-reported status and symptoms longitudinally via smartphone. The replication cohort included 1,344,966 USA women (134 pregnant tested positive) who provided cross-sectional self-reports.MethodsPregnant and non-pregnant were compared for frequencies of symptoms and events, including SARS-CoV-2 testing and hospitalization rates. Multivariable regression was used to investigate symptoms severity and comorbidity effects.ResultsPregnant and non-pregnant women positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were not different in syndromic severity. Pregnant were more likely to have received testing than non-pregnant, despite reporting fewer symptoms. Pre-existing lung disease was most closely associated with the syndromic severity in pregnant hospitalized women. Heart and kidney diseases and diabetes increased risk. The most frequent symptoms among all non-hospitalized women were anosmia [63% pregnant, 92% non-pregnant] and headache [72%, 62%]. Cardiopulmonary symptoms, including persistent cough [80%] and chest pain [73%], were more frequent among pregnant women who were hospitalized.ConclusionsSymptom characteristics and severity were comparable among pregnant and non-pregnant women, except for gastrointestinal symptoms. Consistent with observations in non-pregnant populations, lung disease and diabetes were associated with increased risk of more severe SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.Tweetable abstractPregnancy with SARS-CoV-2 has no higher risk of severe symptoms. Underlying lung disease or cardiac condition can increase risk.

scholarly journals Overt and subclinical hypothyroidism among Bangladeshi pregnant women and its effect on fetomaternal outcome

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Sharmeen ◽  
PA Shamsunnahar ◽  
TR Laita ◽  
SB Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Fetal Outcome ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Overt Hypothyroidism ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
In Pregnancy

Objectives: Thyroid disorders are among the common endocrine problems in pregnant women. It is now well established that not only overt but subclinical thyroid dysfunction also has adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome. There are few data from Bangladesh about the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy. With this background, this study aims to find out thyroid dysfunction (both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism) in pregnancy and its impact on obstetrical outcome.Methods: We studied the evaluation of 50 admitted pregnancies corresponding to 29 women with subclinical hypothyroidism and rest 21 was overt hypothyroidism. Detailed history and examination were performed. Apart from routine obstetrical investigations, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) estimation was done. Their obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were noted.Results: Overt hypothyroidism was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 25 to 44 years age group. However two and three abortions were significantly (p<0.05) higher in overt hypothyroidism patients. In sub clinical hypothyroidism 86.2% conceived firstly within 2 years and 66.7% in overt hypothyroidism patients conceived firstly in between 3 to 5 years after marriage. Overt hypothyroids were prone to have pregnancy-induced hypertension 42.9%, intrauterine growth restriction (P=0.001) and gestational diabetes (38.1%) as compared to subclinical cases. Neonatal complications were significantly more in overt hypothyroidism group. Mean TSH level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in overt hypothyroidism patients but mean FT4 level was almost similar in both groups. Majority of the patient underwent caesarean section in both groups due to associated medical and obstetrical complications. None of the babies showed hypothyroidism by cord blood tests. In this analysis our results showed that overt hypothyroidism among Bangladeshi pregnant women are associated with more maternal complication & adverse parental outcome than subclinical hypothyroidism. The adequate treatment of hypothyroidism during gestation minimizes risks and generally, makes it possible for pregnancies to be carried to term without complications. Significant adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome were seen emphasizing the importance of routine antenatal thyroid screening.Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2014; 40 (2): 52-57

Coverage and Timing of Influenza Vaccination Among Privately Insured Pregnant Women in the United States, 2010-2018

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492110267
Author(s):  
Kai Hong ◽  
Megan C. Lindley ◽  
Fangjun Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
The United States ◽  
Metropolitan Statistical Area ◽  
Provider Education ◽  
Vaccination Uptake ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Privately Insured

Objective Pregnant women are at increased risk of serious complications from influenza and are recommended to receive an influenza vaccination during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to assess trends, timing patterns, and associated factors of influenza vaccination among pregnant women. Methods We used 2010-2018 MarketScan data on 1 286 749 pregnant women aged 15-49 who were privately insured to examine trends and timing patterns of influenza vaccination coverage. We examined descriptive statistics and identified factors associated with vaccination uptake by using multivariate log-binomial and Cox proportional hazard models. Results In-plan influenza vaccination coverage before delivery increased from 22.0% during the 2010-2011 influenza season to 33.2% during the 2017-2018 influenza season. About two-thirds of vaccinated women received the vaccine in September or October during each influenza season. For women who delivered in September through May, influenza vaccination coverage increased rapidly at the beginning of influenza season and flattened after October. For women who delivered in June through August, influenza vaccination coverage increased gradually until February and flattened thereafter. Most vaccinated women who delivered before January received the vaccine in the third trimester. Increased likelihood of being vaccinated was associated with age 31-40, living in a metropolitan statistical area, living outside the South, enrollment in a consumer-driven or high-deductible health plan, being spouses or dependents of policy holders, and delivery in November through January. Conclusions Despite increases during the past several years, vaccination uptake is still suboptimal, particularly after October. Health care provider education on timing of vaccination and recommendations throughout influenza seasons are needed to improve influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women.

scholarly journals Social stress and risk of declining cognition: a longitudinal study of men and women in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Lindert ◽  
Kimberley C. Paul ◽  
E. Lachman Margie ◽  
Beate Ritz ◽  
Teresa Seeman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Subjective Social Status ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Men And Women

AbstractLimited research is available on the relationship between social stress and risk of declining cognition. We sought to examine whether social stress has adverse effects on risk of declining episodic memory and executive functioning in aging individuals. We used data from the MIDUS study, a national probability sample of non-institutionalized, English speaking respondents aged 25–74 living in the 48 contiguous states of the United States. The initial wave (1995) included 4963 non-institutionalized adults aged 32–84 (M = 55, SD = 12.4). We used an analytic sample from MIDUS-II (1996/1997) and MIDUS-III (2013) (n = 1821). The dependent variables are episodic memory and executive functioning, which were assessed with the Brief Test for Cognition (BTACT). The independent variables were social stress variables (subjective social status, family and marital stress, work stress and discrimination). To evaluate episodic memory and executive functioning changes over a time period of 10 years, we estimated adjusted linear regression models. Women report significantly lower subjective social status and more discrimination stress than men across all age groups. Controlling for education and income, age, and baseline episodic memory and executive functioning, lower subjective social status had additional adverse effects on declines in episodic memory in men and women. Marital risk had adverse effects on episodic memory in men but not in women. Daily discrimination had adverse effects on executive functioning on all individuals. Public health strategies should focus on reducing social stress in a socio-ecological perspective. Especially, subjective social status and discrimination stress might be a target for prevention efforts.

scholarly journals 429 The readability of online COVID-19 information for pregnant women in ireland and the united states

2021 ◽  
Vol 224 (2) ◽  
pp. S274
Author(s):  
Amy P. Worrrall ◽  
Fátimah Alaya ◽  
Claire M. McCarthy ◽  
Michael P. Geary
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
The United States
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