Blood mercury levels of dental students and dentists at a dental
school.
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Br Dent J. 2001; 191(8):449-52 (ISSN: 0007-0610)
Tezel H; Ertas OS; Erakin C; Kayali A
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of
Dentistry, Ege University, Bornova Izmir, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the blood mercury levels in dental students
and clinical teaching staff in a dental school using amalgam as a
restorative material. SETTING: A dental school in Ege University,
Turkey surveyed during one academic year. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Cross-sectional study of groups of dental students (n=92) in years I
to V, clinical teachers in restorative dentistry (n=16) and controls
(n=14). Mercury concentration was estimated in venous blood samples
using a cold vapour atomic absorption method at the commencement and
end of the academic year. Daily air mercury levels were determined in
clinical and teaching areas by measuring the darkening of palladium
chloride discs using spectrophotometry. RESULTS: There were
statistically significant increases (p<0.001) in plasma mercury
concentration between measurements in all groups at the end of the
academic year. Red cell mercury levels were also consistently
elevated. Although the highest levels of mercury were recorded in
persons working with amalgam, increased levels were also found in
subjects working in the teaching classrooms but not with amalgam
(controls and first year students). CONCLUSION: Increased mercury
levels appeared to be due to background exposure from spillage of
mercury and amalgam residues on floors. Increased mercury hygiene and
regular control of working atmosphere should be implemented to prevent
mercury exposure in the dental pre-clinical laboratory.

Subject Headings

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Thanks! That reminds me of whenever I go to Turkey I never go to th
dental school ....

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Joel34
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The whole time I was in dental school I never witnessed a spillage of
amalgam.
I guess it only occurs in Turkey.



Joel344 wrote:

> Thanks! That reminds me of whenever I go to Turkey I never go to the
> dental school .....
>
>
> --
> Joel344
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Joel344's Profile: http://dentalcom.net/forum/member.php?userid=12
> View this thread: http://dentalcom.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3912

If amalgam spills it bounces back up off the floor.
This is because its in capsules. Who uses liquid
mercury anymore? NO-BOD-d-d-d-d-d-y.


Joely




Alexander Vasserman DDS Wrote:

> The whole time I was in dental school I never witnessed a spillage of
> amalgam.
> I guess it only occurs in Turkey.
>
>
>
> Joel344 wrote:

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Alexander Vasserman DDS wrote:

> The whole time I was in dental school I never witnessed a spillage of
> amalgam.
> I guess it only occurs in Turkey.

Ahhh, but from what we can see from the abstract, there was no proof
that it was from spillage. The authors merely ASSUMED that the elevated
blood levels were from spillage, afterall it COULDN'T be from handling
the amalgam!

how do you handle amalgam?

very carefully

Alexander Vasserman DDS wrote:

> how do you handle amalgam?

With a Hazmat suit in some countries I hear!

Aharleygyrl Wrote:

> very carefully

...wear gloves ....... or mittens

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Clinton Wrote:

> Alexander Vasserman DDS wrote:

>
> With a Hazmat suit in some countries I hear!

Here is how we do it:


[image: http://www.tchd.org/hazmatface.jpg]