From this week's update to The Millenium Project

http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/

Anti-amalgamists might not be truthful! Imagine that! (21/10/2006)

It is you who has not been truthful and still are not!

Note Peter posted to ONLY sci.med.dentistry.

It comes right after, I posted this:

http://www.mercurypoisoned.com/FDA_hearings/advisory_panel_rejects_am...

 25 Member Advisory Panel Rejects FDA Safety Report on Mercury Fillings

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­---

 ATTENTION: You have until Nov. 9th to submit your comments to the FDA
docket. If you have been mercury poisoned from dental fillings submit your
comments. If you testified before the FDA, you need to resubmit your
comments so the public can view your testimony. Send an email to
FDADock...@oc.fda.gov. In the subject line type "Docket Number -
2006N-0352". Send a copy to Mary Ann Newell at bullelk...@aol.com or Freya
Koss at frek...@aol.com so we can make sure that your comments get recorded
to the Docket.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­---

 September 26, 2006
 by Marie Flowers

 October 9, 2006--You can now see the complete transcripts from the FDA
hearings on September 6, 2003 and September 7, 2003 at
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/cdrh06.html#dentalproductspanel

 Mercury Fillings Safe? Mercury Fillings Unsafe?

 It's all been in the news lately, "FDA Says Mercury Fillings Safe!"

 Then less than a week later headlines proclaimed, "FDA Advisors: Safety of
mercury fillings needs more study" or "Caution Urged on Mercury Fillings" or
"Safety of Dental Fillings Questioned" or "Group Rejects Government's claim
that mercury fillings are safe."

 Are you confused? Did you understand the headlines about mercury fillings
being unreasonable? Did you understand what you local paper reported about
the "FDA not objectively and clearly presenting the current state of
knowledge about mercury dental fillings?"

 The FDA hearings were held at the Holiday Inn Ballroom at Gaithersburg,
Maryland.

 Some news reports were very confusing, since people did not understand the
questions that were being answered by the FDA advisors. Some reports were
fair and others had gross inaccuracies. A reporter from the Wall Street
Journal concentrated more on quoting what the ADA spokesman had to say, even
though the FDA and American Dental Association position on amalgam's safety
had just been rejected! She completely missed the significance of what had
just taken place at the FDA hearings since it appears she only sought
information from the pro amalgam ADA. Dr. Mackert from the ADA told her it
would take 265 to 312 amalgam fillings to reach toxic levels of mercury
exposure. Another dentist from the ADA said it would take 500 fillings, all
in the mouth at one time, to cause a person to be poisoned.

 But realize what was happening back at ADA headquarters. Consumers for
Dental Choice reported on their website---

 http://www.mercurypoisoned.com/

   A.D.A. HQ in Panic Mode Over Vote of Two FDA Scientific Panels

   Admitting that the FDA Panels vote against the safety of mercury
fillings "continue[s] to generate heavy press coverage," the pro-mercury
American Dental Association has sent out a panicky e-gram asking members to
rally around mercury fillings. The ADA even sends members talking points
based on the ADA ridiculous position that mercury is safe only when dentists
use it. This pro-mercury trade group "which hides from the public the facts
that it has pay-to-play endorsement contracts with amalgam manufacturers and
owns at least two amalgam patents" admits to its worst nightmare: "The panel
of advisers did recommend, however, that the report be rewritten, and that
could will [sic] fuel efforts to restrict or ban amalgam use."
 I am writing my impressions of what happened at the FDA hearings, along
with testimonies of people opposing the use of amalgam, or mercury dental
fillings. If you want to read the ADA position, go to the ADA website. You
can also download slides of pro amalgam speakers off the FDA website. The
FDA web address is at the bottom of this page. So here goes.

 What Really Happened at the FDA Hearing on Dental Amalgam?

 On September 6 and 7, 2006 two panels to the FDA (a dental panel and
neurology panel), made up of distinguished scientists convened for the sole
purpose of addressing the neuro-toxicity of mercury amalgam dental fillings,
better known as "silver" fillings. One panel was primarily physicians such
as neurologists, MDs and a cardiologist, and the other panel was primarily
dentists. There was an array of scientist-consultants (professor of
biostatistics, consultant for anti-epileptic drugs, toxicologists.) All of
them are credentialed in their fields, and all must pass FDA ethics
requirements before being appointed.

 I testified before the 25 Member panel on September 6th as one of the
victims of mercury poisoning from "silver" amalgam dental fillings, which
are actually 50% mercury and only 25% silver, along with zinc, tin and
copper . Except for one holistic BIOLOGICAL dentist from Durham, NC, Dr.
Michael Fleming, the panel of outside advisors to the FDA consisted of
traditional (not alternative) doctors.

 We are very blessed to have Dr. Fleming on the dental advisory panel for
the next 3 ½ years. This is the very first time the FDA has had any dentist
that is not pro amalgam. To date, the FDA has not issued any warnings about
dental amalgam because their dentistry branch is made up of ADA dentists who
maintain the old party line that silver fillings are safe, because "We have
placed billions of them, and we have been using them for over 150 years."

 Charlie Brown, general counsel for Consumers for Dental Choice
(www.toxicteeth.org) brought lawsuits against the FDA for failing to
classify dental mercury as safe. Brown quotes in his petition to the FDA to
ban mercury fillings in pregnant women, "Based on the latest Centers for
Disease Control data, scientists for the US Environmental Protection Agency
have found that one American woman of childbearing age in eight already has
so much mercury in her body she is at risk of having a brain-damaged baby."

 Dental devices are supposed to be tested and classified as safe before
they are placed on the market, but in the case of amalgam fillings, they
were "grandfathered" into use without ever being tested by the FDA. Yet the
American Dental Association has their "seal of acceptance" on the silver
fillings and has patents on them.

 Charlie Brown of Consumers for Dental Choice, Press Release

 http://www.mercurypoisoned.com/

Peter's reply was insults, plus his control problem. Telling me that it was
not headlines.  Which is a LIE!  The FDA hearings most certainly are
headlines.

I have the right to post to whatever groups, I deem necessary.

I am continually being told that the American Dental Association keeps
the formula for dental amalgam secret, that no research has ever been
done into the safety of dental amalgam, and that even some dentists
don't know that it contains mercury. I know, I know, these statements
are ludicrous,

Which is the norm for you! Lies, lies, and more lies.

but ludicrosity has never stopped an anti-amalgam
campaigner from making a claim.

What claim?

I have also been told that
alternatives to amalgam have only been available since the 1970s,
presumably because the ADA strongly resisted their introduction and
use before then.

Told by whom?  Prove that as well.

To get access to medical texts and recent journals I use the library
at Westmead Hospital.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia is a stand-alone service
dedicated to paediatrics. It provides community medical care and paediatric.

(As a bonus to the free use of journals, the
walk from my house also counts towards my exercise quota.) Whenever I
am there I check the shelf of used books for sale. These are usually
very much out of date, but sometimes I pick up something which fits my
interest in the history of medicine. The last time I was there I found
a book published in 1966 by the ADA called Guide to Dental Materials.
Remarkably for a book published before alternatives to amalgams were
supposedly available and were still being suppressed by the ADA there
are chapters about resins and cements - primitive stuff, but hardly
suppressed or hidden.

The ADA, that is laughable.  *Organized dentistry* LIES!

Remember how the ADA hides the dangers of mercury and even tries to
prevent dentists finding out about it?

That makes another claim for you to prove.

Well, here is a passage from
page 21 of this 40-year-old book. The secret formula for making
amalgam is on page 109, under the heading "American Dental Association
specification number 1 for alloy for dental amalgam". And I was able
to buy this book for $1!

"Mercury-Vapor Hygiene.

"At one time there was considerable discussion about the possibility
of toxic effects of mercury vapor given off by amalgam fillings.
Although there are a few reported incidents of sensitivity to amalgam,
the toxic effects of mercury vapor in dental practice were shown by
Souder and Sweeney to be not significant. This has been confirmed by
others. A very comprehensive review was published by Frykholm in 1957.
Mercury does give off small amounts of vapor

That's funny the ADA *organized dentistry* got caught in that lie*.  Stating
Mercury amalgams is  LOCKED safely in the metal bonds in the teeth.
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/amalgam.htm,

then--they make up a bigger lie which is above.

http://www.algonet.se/~leif/FUIAOMT1.txt

http://www.iaomt.org/merc_release.swf

under normal atmospheric
conditions but this stops as soon as mercury becomes coated with
saliva.

Wrong!  Another lie!

However, it is considered good hygiene to use well ventilated
offices and to collect excess mercury during amalgamation and
placement of fillings.

Note the words* good hygiene*.

Actually, that is not the reason.  And Peter knows it.  This shows his
deceitfulness.

It is, of course, good practice not to spill
the mercury promiscuously around the office.

Why is that?

In addition to mercury
vapor hygiene,

The dangers of mercury vapor are not reported by Peter.

http://www.zipworld.com.au/~rgammal/Are_Dentist_Really_Healthy.html

Are Dentist Really Healthy ?

Dentists have;

 a.. Twice the rate of Glioblastoma than the rest of the population
 b.. Twice the suicide and divorce rate.
 c.. IQ., Psychomotor, Psycho-emotional tests less than average compared to
the rest of the population
 d.. Impaired Fine Motor Skills
 e.. Of all dentists who currently have a long-term disability, 20% are
away from their practice because of a mental or nervous problem. (J Can Dent
May 1994; Vol.60, No.5 )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guide to Safer Dentistry

Written by Robert Gammal Oct 1999

Knowledge about the danger of mercury is growing rapidly. If you have ideas
about how to further aid the health of the dental profession please let me
know and I will be happy to include your suggestions. E-mail to
rgammal@bcd.com.au

One of the most widely acknowledged and saddest facts that we are all taught
is that dentists have one of the highest suicide rates of all professions.
We are taught that this is because we work in a high stress profession and
that the patients are the main cause of that stress. I believed this myth
for many years without realizing what the true stressor in dentistry is. It
is horrific that this myth is perpetuated to this day. I do not believe that
dentistry is a higher stress profession than that of fire fighting,
ambulance or police. I think that doctors working in casualty wards are
under far greater stress. All we have to do is look after teeth.
Unfortunately all that we are taught to do is be molar mechanics. Although
we sometimes have patients who are difficult to deal with, we often forget
that sometimes we also are difficult to deal with.

Dental amalgam with its constant release of mercury represents the greatest
health risk to all dental personnel of all of the range of materials and
practices in dentistry. Many of us have been brainwashed into believing that
dental amalgam is safe for the patient and that a few precautionary measures
are enough to safe guard the dentist. Although the Australian Dental
Association would like us to believe that this is scientific I believe that
their statements about amalgam safety are insufficient and inaccurate. When
I started to read the scientific literature I would ask, how is it that the
universities are still teaching us to use this material and not warn us
about the dangers? Surely they would not try to intentionally mislead us!!!
It is inconceivable that this may be possible after all we have put great
faith in our professors and deans who surely should know the difference
between safety and danger and moral obligation to tell the truth. Sorry
folks but it is time to change the paradigm and realize that all research
and tenured university positions must be paid for. It is time to realize
that even the professors have things to lose by not towing the official
party doctrine.

For many years I have talked about the dangers of amalgam to patients. I
have been instrumental in forming the Australian Society of Oral Medicine
and Toxicology and running conferences with internationally renowned
speakers to try and educate the dental and other professions about the
dangers of different aspects of dentistry. I do not believe that there has
yet been any teaching about how to keep the dentists healthy.

Each one of us has a choice to make about allowing the myth to be
perpetuated. If dentistry is really so stressful than why are solutions not
being sought. Valium and Seropax do not save lives - neither do Prozac or
Viagra. The greatest stressor in dentistry is not money, angry patients,
difficult nurses or a lousy matrix band. The greatest stressor in dentistry
is mercury! I find it quite amazing that as a group of people who are
dedicated to helping others we are not taught how to look after our own
health. We are not even given the slightest hint that our own health may be
adversely affected by the very materials we use on our patients.

Amalgam

I have no intention in this paper to discuss all of the dangers of this
material as this is well documented in many other places. Two sites to check
for this material with many links are www.bcd.com.au and www.asomat.com.

This paper is about how amalgam effects dental personnel.

Mercury is the third most toxic substance known to mankind after lead and
arsenic. It is odorless, tasteless and in vapor form is also invisible. It
will effect every function of the human body in particular the nervous
system. It will have a devastating effect on the immune system. It can have
severe and adverse effects on the reproductive system and endocrine system.
It can devastate heart muscle where it is stored in horrifyingly high levels
and is associated with idiopathic heart disease. Mercury will effect vision.

The type of poisoning, which occurs in dentistry, is not usually large acute
exposures. It is long term low-level, cumulative exposure known as
micromercurialism, whose earliest symptoms are subclinical neurological and
as such frequently misdiagnosed in both the dental and medical professions.
It causes a type of madness that emerges in simple ways such as throwing an
impression across the surgery when it does not work or believing that the
nurse is constantly ripping you off. Please do not think that I advocate the
notion that mercury is the cause of all disease and psychological and
emotional difficulty. It is merely one of the most overlooked of causes.
Amalgam and mercury hygiene should go far beyond not handling the material
with your hands and having good ventilation. Why is it, do you think, that
we are not allowed to dispose of waste amalgam in the sewerage, drain water
or garbage cans? Why is it that we must store amalgam under photographic
fixer in a sealed glass jar? Why is it that we must dispose of this material
as toxic waste? Why is it that the only place that we can store this
material LEGALLY is in somebody's mouth? And yet our great professors tell
us that it is safe. Our dental associations advocate the safety of amalgam.
The really insane part of this whole debacle is that it is not only the
patients who suffer but the very members of the profession and dental
association who really should be protected by these organizations. Is the
Australian Dental Association advocating the destruction of its own
membership?

As in any case of poisoning it is important to first remove the patient from
the source of the poisoning and then detoxify the body from that poison.
Next we must repair the damage done by that toxin if we are to regain full
healing.

Remove Yourself From the Toxin.

Immediately stop using amalgam as a filling material

Every time an amalgam is triturated a vast cloud of mercury vapour is
formed. Even if the capsules are perfectly sealed, they must still be opened
to remove the contents. Usually this is done by the dental nurse and it is
she who is most exposed to the vapour at this time, but really everyone in
the room is also exposed. Packing the amalgam filling, even with high volume
suction running in the mouth will also create high levels of mercury vapor.
You are sitting in the center of this cloud. Using automatic amalgam
pluggers is particularly dangerous. The simple rule to start looking after
yours and your staff's health is simply to never place another amalgam
filling.

After you have made this commitment it is essential to clean your workplace.
If you have ever had in the past a mercury spill you must get hold of a
mercury vapour meter and check the vapour levels. You may find that you need
to replace the floor coverings and some equipment. You may find that the
levels of mercury vapour are so high that the building itself will be shut
down - this is not a joke (see the OSHA and ATSDR and USEPA standards to see
how little is needed to close down a factory). Even the Australian Dental
Association have advocated that mercury levels in surgeries should be
checked yet ironically after several calls to their offices over the years
they have not been able to tell me how to go about doing this.

I am not joking about this - it is essential to clean your environment of
all traces of mercury.

Dispose of all hand instruments that were used to pack amalgam and possibly
some that were used to carve it.

Ensure that your autoclave is free of mercury. Never allow any instruments
that have been used to pack amalgam anywhere near an autoclave as the vapour
levels created are astronomical and the whole of your premises will be
polluted.

Dispose of all waste amalgam containers. If you have been storing it in a
draw (Don't laugh - even one of our hospitals has been doing this) you
should consider disposing of your cabinetry and getting new draws. Never
keep any such containers even if they did belong to the last ten dentists.
The vibe of sentimentality may carry the dangers of mercury poisoning

Dispose of all instruments that have been used to handle amalgam. This
includes machinery that is used to triturate the material. It cannot be
cleaned and will remain a long-term source of mercury vapour. Dispose of all
amalgam carriers and other such devices. Dispose of them as toxic waste and
if you cannot do this send them by courier to your local university or
dental association. I am all for giving the problem back to its creator.

Amalgam Removal

Firstly learn the correct protocols for both your patients and your own
wellbeing. When removing amalgam with a high-speed bur you will create a
huge cloud of mercury vapour. You will also create a huge cloud of
microscopic particles, which are fully respirable.

The safest way of protecting yourself and your staff from this source of
mercury is to minimize exposure and inhalation. If you wear a paper mask you
will prevent some of the inhalation of the larger amalgam particles. The
vapour will pass straight through. The particles of amalgam will stick to
the surface of the mask and the temperature of your breath will act on these
particles very quickly so that within a half-minute the vapour levels inside
the mask may be higher than in the surrounding room air. If all you have is
a paper mask you must ensure that you dispose of this mask as soon as the
last bit of amalgam is removed. I know of some dentists who wear a mask all
day and a few others who wear the same mask for the week. This is a lethal
practice. Paper masks are not that expensive and if you believe that they
are than pass on the cost to your patients - after all it is your health
that is suffering. Ensure that all dental personnel follow this practice.

Far better than a paper mask for protection from the mercury vapour are
special masks from 3M, which are designed for this purpose.

The best way to prevent inhalation is to wear a full respiratory mask that
will feed medical gasses (compressed sterile air) over your nose and mouth
with some positive pressure. This will ensure that none can get into your
respiratory passages. In my opinion this is the only way to go and
thankfully it is not terribly expensive to set up a surgery with this
equipment.

Mercury is easily transported through latex and skin. Gloves must be changed
between patients. Wear a disposable hair cap when drilling amalgam. Wash
your hair every day to remove amalgam particles that you will otherwise take
home and will end up on your spouses pillow or worse.

Do NOT wash your uniforms in the family wash load as you may contaminate the
rest of your family.

Splatter guards that many dentists are in love with are completely useless
to prevent inhalation.

Minimize your production of mercury and microscopic amalgam particles by
following some simple steps;

a. Use cross cut tungsten burs only to cut amalgam. This will cut the
amalgam very quickly and shatter it as well so that large pieces fly out.
Using a diamond bur will extend the cutting time and thus produce far more
vapour. Minimize the amount of grinding that you do.

b. Cut the amalgam into sections rather than grinding your way through it.

c. Use copious amounts of water on the bur while cutting - Triplex spray as
well as regular water from the drill.

d. Use very strong suction next to the tooth. This can be achieved by
purchasing special suction tips called 'cleanups' which are available from
BioProbe in America. These tips are designed to cover the tooth and provide
drill access at the same time. They work very well.

e. Never polish old amalgams and never use an ultrasonic scaler on amalgam
fillings.

f. Old used burs will not be anywhere near as effective as new ones.

g. Remember that all friction on amalgam will induce the release of mercury.
Placing gold in a mouth with mercury will cause an increase in electrical
currents in all amalgam fillings and thus an increase in the amount of
mercury released from amalgam

Check your Suction.

It is imperative that all dental suction units be vented out of the
building. All air that is sucked out of the patient's mouth has to go
somewhere. It is almost impossible to filter out mercury vapour. Suction
units, which exhaust inside a building, will thoroughly contaminate the air
in the building.

Negative Ion Generators

It is worth also investing in high quality and powerful Negative Ion
Generators - they are very effective in removing mercury vapour and
microparticles from the air. Although expensive they are worth every cent.
It is amazing the difference that these units can make. The quality of the
air is so different when my units are switched on, every body's mood and
awakeness improve within 10 minutes.

Some of these units also come with air filters. The good ones are very
effective. Make sure that the air filters are changes at regular service
intervals.

Vacuum suction over patient.

Units also exist which are like huge vacuum cleaners with a suction opening
that sits over the patient's face. These are reputed to suck most of the
mercury vapour away.

Amalgam and Autoclaves

Never allow any instruments that were used to place amalgam come into
contact with an autoclave. You will create an enormous cloud of mercury
vapour which will pollute your whole office environment and in particular
the will effect the dental assistant who works near the autoclave.

Remove all amalgam fillings from your own mouth.

There is no doubt that the greatest single source of mercury to the general
population is from their amalgam fillings. This applies to dentists as well.
Not only are you being exposed to work related levels of mercury but you are
also getting it from your own fillings. If you really wish therefore to be
detoxing from mercury you must get it removed from your own mouth as well.
Remember that mercury is a cumulative poison and the body does not care
where the mercury comes from it will just as happily store it anyway.

Experience the difference and have them removed by a colleague who does know
what they are doing. It is imperative that the correct protocols be
observed. There is no reason why you should be treated differently to the
rest of the world.

Removing the amalgam fillings from your mouth is only the first step in
cleaning up your body. All that it does is eliminate one of the greatest
sources of mercury to your body. It is like turning of the taps but now you
also have to remove it from your body - ie empty the bathtub after you have
turned the taps off

Detox Procedures

If you read through the amalgam removal protocols you will see that we
recommend to all of our patients that they use dietary supplements of
certain vitamins, antioxidants and mercury scavengers to help remove mercury
and other heavy metals from their bodies. This is usually recommended for a
couple of weeks before amalgam removal and at least 6 to 8 months after the
amalgam is removed. The assumption is that for most of our patients the
exposure to mercury will cease once the amalgam is removed. NOT so for
dentists.

Any dentist who is exposed to any form of mercury - even if it is to drill
out the odd amalgam - should remain on these sorts of supplements ALL OF THE
TIME.

It may also be worth considering a speedier way of removing mercury from
your body. This involves the use of DMPS and DMSA as chelating agents, which
will assist the process. In Australia this must be done under medical
supervision. The most common ways of detoxing is these above two techniques.
There are many other techniques which are used by different people, and have
all shown beneficial results they include cholonic irrigation, lymphatic
drainage massage, herbs both western and Chinese, gentle exercise, fresh
coriander, fasting, Vibrational medicine.

Chelation

The use of chelation for the removal of heavy metals is an old technique.
Although there is debate in the medical world about its effectiveness there
is no doubt in the minds of the practitioners using it or the patients who
undergo this treatment. There is almost always a marked improvement in
health.

For many years the only chelating agents that were allowed in Australia by
the TGA were Vitamin C (although not a true chelator) and EDTA. Although
EDTA will remove some amalgam, a number of studies have shown that
EDTA/Mercury combination may be more neurotoxic than mercury alone.

More recently the medical profession have been given permission to use DMPS
and DMSA which have been used in the eastern block countries for 50 years
with great success.

For information in Australia about how to find a doctor in your area who may
be experienced in chelation treatment you can contact the Australian College
of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (http://www.acnem.org/ 13 Hilton
Street, Beaumaris, Victoria 3193, Australia Phone: +613 9589 6088 Fax: +613
9589 5158, E-mail: acnem@mail.austasia.net)

Supplementation

The field of dietary supplementation is I believe still in its infancy and
as we learn more we are finding an increasing number of substances which
assist in this process. The ability to chose which is best for you may be in
part a matter of trial and error (although if there is an error it is
usually of minimal consequence and certainly not of the order of serious
side effects as from prescription medications). It is essential that the
supplements be continued indefinitely if you are constantly exposed to
mercury.

Some of the basic supplements you should consider adding to your daily
routine are;

Vitamin C 1.5g/day

Multivitamin B complex

Selenium 200-400mcg/day

Chlorella tablets or pills

LM1 or Toxicol tablets

Homeopathic Amalgam and Mercury - Warning

Many dentists and doctors have used homeopathic to treat their patients.
Unless you know a really first rate homeopath I would recommend strongly
that you avoid using homeopathic mercury or homeopathic amalgam. The problem
is not that they don't work but rather that they may work too well. Many of
us have seen the people who have done well but also those that have crashed
severely using these preparations. It appears that too much mercury may be
mobilized at a time when the body is not able to excrete it fast enough.

Disposal of Amalgam

There are a number of simple steps;

Ensure that no amalgam is stored anywhere but in a sealed glass jar under
photographic fixer. NEVER store it anywhere else. The nurse who does this
job must be educated to understand the full significance of this.

It is illegal to place it into the sewerage, drain water or garbage.

Never place any instrument with amalgam on it in any increased temperature
situation.

Due to its mercury content it is wise to treat amalgam as the third most
toxic substance known to mankind.

Never keep it in your premises.

An alternate, though not so nice an option, is to send your waste amalgam to
the dental associations and universities who continue to promote its safety!

Recognizing the Symptoms you thought had other causes

It is easy to take a headache pill and get stronger eyeglasses. It is easy
to see a psychiatrist to treat your growing depression. It is easy to blame
every other car driver for being an idiot. It is easy to seek medical advice
about those palpitations and nightmares. It is a quantum leap in thinking to
realize that part of these symptoms may be caused by the mercury coming from
your own fillings and the environment you have been working in all of your
career life.

The earliest symptoms of low level, long term mercury poisoning,
(micromercurialism) have long been known to be subclinical neurological in
nature. Even the dental associations have known this as evidenced by the
following;

"Mercury Contamination In the Dental Office. A Review. NYS Dental Journal
November 1979 pp 457-458"

The symptoms of mercury poisoning from chronic inhalation develop gradually
and thus, may be difficult to notice. With the exception of tremor, the
symptoms may be ignored by the victim or attributed to other causes. This
lack of awareness is particularly likely in the case of erethism, a
condition characterized by;

· irritability,

· outbursts of temper,

· excitability,

· shyness,

· resentment of criticism,

· headache,

· fatigue, and

· indecision.

Erethism is the most difficult manifestation of mercury poisoning to
evaluate, especially if tremors are absent, and its symptoms may be
attributed to anxiety or neurasthenia.

Other general symptoms associated with mercury poisoning include

· weakness, unusual fatigue, loss of weight, loss of appetite, insomnia

and gastrointestinal disturbances.

A condition known as Micromercurialism, is said to account for psychological
changes observed in persons frequently exposed to low concentrations of
mercury in the air, concentrations found in the majority of dental offices
surveyed. The syndrome is characterized by

· decreased productivity, loss of memory, loss of self confidence,
depression, fatigue and irritability .."

The early symptoms are subclinical neurologic and may include;

· Fatigue - physical and mental

· Lack of initiative

· Loss of short term memory

· Lack of concentration

· Poor to no decision making ability

· Irrational obsession, Compulsions

· Timidity and lack of self confidence

· Grave depression

· Rapid mood changes, sudden anger

· Unexplainable fear of death

· Hallucinations

· Shyness and timidity

· Tendency to isolation

· Suicidal feelings

More severe symptoms are related to long term exposure and may involve many
other areas of the body including immune dysfunction, infertility, and heart
disease.

Caulk Co., one of the largest manufacturers of dental amalgam include a
large array of symptoms caused by mercury poisoning on their Material Safety
Data Sheet for Dispersalloy. It is incredible that the manufacturer
acknowledges dangers that both the universities and the Australian Dental
Association ignore. The following is from the MSDS;

"Inhalation: Acute: Inhalation of a high concentration of mercury vapor can
cause almost immediate dyspnea, cough, fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea,
stomatitis, salivation, metallic taste, gingivitis, and cardiac
abnormalities. Respiratory irritation may occur with chest pain and
tightness. Symptoms may re solve or may progress to necrotizing
bronchiolitis, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, interstitial
fibrosis, and death. Acidosis and renal damage may also occur. Allergic
reactions that may occur in previously exposed persons include dermatitis,
encephalitis, and death. Metal fume fever, an influenza-like illness, may
occur due to the inhalation of freshly formed metal oxide particles sized
below 1.5 microns and usually between 0.02-0.05 microns. Symptoms may be
delayed 4-12 hours and begin with a sudden onset of thirst, and a sweet,
metallic or foul taste in the mouth. Other symptoms may include upper
respiratory tract irritation accompanied by coughing and a dryness of the
mucous membranes, lassitude and a generalized feeling of malaise. Fever,
chills, muscular pain, mild to severe headache, nausea, occasional vomiting,
exaggerated mental activity, profuse sweating, excessive urination, diarrhea
and prostration may also occur. Tolerance to fumes develops rapidly, but is
quickly lost. All symptoms usually subside within 24-36 hours.

Inhalation: Chronic: Inhalation of mercury vapor over a long period may
cause mercurialism which is characterized by fine tremors and erethism.
Tremors may affect the hands first, but may also become evident in the face,
arms, and legs. Erethism may be manifested by abnormal shyness, blushing,
self-consciousness, depression or despondency resentment of criticism,
irritability or excitability, headache, fatigue, and insomnia. In severe
cases, hallucinations, loss of memory, and mental deterioration may occur.
Concentrations as low and 0.03 mg/m3 have induced psychiatric symptoms in
humans. Renal involvement may be indicated by proteinuria, albuminuria,
enzymuria, and anuria. Other effects may include salivation, gingivitis,
stomatitis, loosening of the teeth, blue lines on the gums, diarrhea,
chronic pneumonitis and mild anemia. Repeated exposure to mercury and its
compounds may result in sensitization. Intrauterine exposure may result in
tremors and involuntary movements in the infants. Mercury is excreted in
breast milk. Paternal reproductive effects and effects on fertility have
been reported in male rats following repeated inhalation exposures.

Skin contact: Acute : Direct contact with liquid may cause irritation and
redness. Small amounts of mercury may be absorbed through intact skin.
Allergic reactions that may occur in previously exposed persons include
dermatitis, encephalitis, and death. Subcutaneous introduction, from
handling broken thermometers, may result in local inflammation,
granulomatous skin reactions, and slight signs of mercury poisoning
including digestive disorders, metallic taste in the mouth, and neuropsychic
disorders.

Skin contact: Chronic: prolonged or repeated exposure may result in dermal
sensitization and systemic effects as detailed in chronic inhalation
exposure. Skin contact: First aid: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes
immediately. Wash affected area with soap or mild detergent and large
amounts of water until no evidence of chemical remains (approximately 15-20
minutes). Get medical attention immediately. "

Staff Relationships

It is easy for dentists to get caught up in treating the patient and
expecting life to be difficult. As dentists we rely heavily on the
assistance and support of our staff. It is therefore illogical to think that
we may be effected by mercury and our staff not. In fact it is usually the
dental nurse who has a far greater exposure to mercury than the dentist. It
is only a matter of time before there is a legal situation whereby workers
compensation is a serious issue. Female dental personnel will have the same
neurologic symptoms as the dentist. There is also a far greater incidence of
infertility, miscarriage and menstrual problems in female dental personnel
compared to the rest of the female population. It is imperative that the
dental personnel are offered the same level of protection as the dentist.

You may find that you not only have a happier work place but also that you
will have a staff who love you for taking care of their health.

Support of political changes

As dentists we are taught that we have a responsibility to keep abreast of
clinical and research developments and to share information with our
colleagues. It is also I believe our responsibility to keep our profession
honest. Not only should each one of use read the literature but we should
take an active role to educate our colleagues and point out inconsistencies
between the literature and the often different official position. How can
people who belittle the scientific research also be our represented
spokespeople. The two are not compatible. Make your voice heard - take a
stand. Support an Organization who is trying to look after your wellbeing.

Some abstracted references

1) Rowland AS et al The effect of occupational exposure to mercury vapour on
the fertility of female dental assistants Occup Environ Med (1994 Jan)
51(1):28-34

Sample of 418 women. ental assistants not working with amalgam - unexposed
controls.

The fecundability (probability of conception each menstrual cycle) of women
who prepared 30 or more amalgams per week was only 63% of that for unexposed
women.

2) Sikorski R et al .Women in dental surgeries: reproductive hazards in
occupational exposure to metallic mercury. Int Arch Occup Environ Health
(1987) 59(6):551-7

3) JADA Vol. 122 August 1991 By Irwin Mandel DDS Assoc. Dean for Research
School of Dental and Oral Surgery Colombia University New York

"rates of spontaneous abortion or non-congenital abnormalities in children
during this period, were higher in respondents exposed to high levels of
mercury in the dental environment than those exposed to low levels."

4) Gordon HP, Cordon LD: reduction in mercury vapour levels in Seattle
dental offices. J Dent Res Abstract 1092 57A:347, 1981.

Female dentists had a higher rate of spontaneous abortions then a control of
female medical personnel or the rest of the population. The Peri-Natal
Mortality Rate for the female dentists was significantly higher than for the
rest of the population -19.5 / 1000 as compared to 7.5 / 1000.

5) Glioblastomas

In a study of 9,241 people 3454 were male dentists 1125 female dentists,
4662 female dental nurses;

A TWO fold increased risk of Glioblastomas for the dental personnel compared
to the rest of the population.

6) Nylander et al.Fourth international symposium Epidemiology in
Occupational Health.,Como Italy Sept 1985

Urinary mercury levels for 4,272 U.S. dentists who participated in the
Health Assessment Programs held at the ADA annual sessions (1975-1983) had a
mean level of 14.2 ug/L with a range of 0 to 556 ug/L.

19.1% are over the maximum normal measurement of 20 ugHg/L

10.9% are over the C.D.C. maximum acceptable level of 30 ugHg/L

4.9% are over 50 ugHg/L, the level found to cause induced tremors

1.3% are over 100 ugHg/L, the level found to cause tremors

7) Akesson, et al Archives of Environmental Health, March-April 1991 v46 n2
p102(8)

Status of mercury and selenium in dental personnel: Impact of amalgam work
and own fillings.

"In the group of dental personnel, the effect of their own amalgam fillings
on Hg concentrations....was as important as their occupational exposure to
Hg."

Higher U-Hg levels were found in nurses than in dentists

U-Hg - significantly associated with duration of employment

An increase in age was accompanied by a concomitant increase in B-Hg

Total Amalgam Surface Area and U-Hg had the highest correlation

8) Joel Butler Professor of Psychology at the University of North Texas 1

Fifty one dentists and dental personnel were studied on standardized tests
which revealed there were a significant number who measured in the abnormal
range;

41.7% Some Psychomotor Dysfunction

16.7% Severe Psychomotor Dysfunction

57.9% Impaired Immediate recall

52.6% Visual Memory & Visual Motor reduced

52% Vigilance, Attention, Concentration and Cognitive Comprehension impaired

36.4% Work and lives felt rather pointless

52.6% tactile Sensory Dysfunction / inability to locate finger position

78.9% Logical Thinking and story recall impaired

68.4% Spatial and visual memory impaired

27.3% History of unsatisfying interpersonal relationships

72% Out of Norm on the Emotional Stability Scale

27.3% Suicidal Depression, Disgust with life, Despondency and despair

30% Increased states of Agitation

42.4% Increased scores on the Psychopathic Scale

This study concludes that as a group, dentists are, after a number of years,
at least one standard deviation below the rest of the population. This is an
enormous and significant drop!

9) Echeverria, D; et al Behavioral Effects of Low-Level Exposure to Hg°
Among Dentists. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 17(2):161-168, 1995.

Urine mercury Levels Directly related to;

Reduced Concentration

Emotional instability

Fine Motor Function Seriously effected

Evidence of subtle pre-clinical changes in behavior associated with Hg
exposure

10) Gonzalez-Ramirez, D. Et al. Urinary mercury, porphyrins and
neurobehavioral changes in dental workers in Monterrey, Mexico. J Pharmacol
Exp Therap. 272:264-274,1995

"The mean urinary mercury level after the DMPS challenge was adversely and
statistically associated with functions related to

complex attention,

psychomotor task,

mood and symptoms

in a linear dose-effect manner."

11) Shapiro, et al. and Ship II, et al. reported the relation between
cumulative exposure to mercury and chronic health impairment.

"298 dentists. 30% of the high mercury dentists had polyneuropathies. No
polyneuropathies were detected in the control group. The high mercury group
had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had more symptom-distress than
did the control group.

These findings suggest that the use of mercury as a restorative material

is a health risk for dentists."

Some further reading:

Mercury in pituitary glands of dentists Nylander: Lancet (1986 Feb 22)
1(8478):442

Akesson I Lundborg G Horstmann V Skerfving S Neuropathy in female dental
personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations. Occup Environ Med (1995 Feb)
52(2):116-23

Mercury exposure of different origins among dentists and dental nurses.
Skare: Scand J Work Environ Health (1990 Oct) 16(5):340-7

Neuropsychological Dysfunctioning Associated with the Dental Office
Environment is a study by Joel Butler , Professor of Psychology at the
University of North Texas.

Wood RW, Weiss AB, Weiss B: Hand tremor induced by industrial exposure to
inorganic mercury. Arch Environ Health 26:249-52,1973.

Manlyla DG, Wright OD: Mercury toxicily in the dental of fice: a neglected
problem. JADA 92:1189-94,1976,

Gordon HP, Cordon LD: reduclion in mercury vapour levels in Seattle dental
of fices. J Dent Res Abstract 1092 57A:347, 1981.

Blocll P. Shaplro IM: Summary of the international conference on mercury
hazards in dental practice. JADA 104:489-90, 1982.

Shapiro IM, Sumner AJ, Spilz LK, Cornblath DR, Uzzell B. Ship II, Bloch P:
Neurophysiological and neuropsychological function in mercury-exposed
dentists. Lancet 8282:1147-50,1982.

Ship II, Shapiro IM: Mercury poisoning in dental practice. Compendium
Continuing Educalion 4: 107- 110,1983.

Edilor: How mercury poisoning al'fecled one dentist. Dent Survey 49:64,
1973.

Miller JM, Chaffin DB, Smith RG: Subclinical psychomotor and neuromuscular
changes in workers exposed to inorganic mercury. A Indus Hyg Assoc J
36:725-33,1975.

Lyer K, Goodgold J. Eberstein A, Berg P: Mercury poisoning in a dentist.
Arch Neurol 33:788-90, 1976.

Merfield DP, Taylor A, Gemmell DM, Parrish JA: Mercury intoxication in a
dental surgery following unreported spillagc. BrilDentJ 141:179-86,1976.

Barber TE: Inorganic mercury inloxication reminiscent of amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis. J Occupat Med 20:667-9,1978.

Smith Jr DL: Mental effects of mercury poisoning. South Med J 71:904-5,
1978.

Langolf GD, Chaffin DB, Henderson R. Whittle HP: Evaluation of workers
exposed to elemental mercury using quantitative lests of tremor and
neuromuscular functions. Am Ind Hyg Assoc 39(12):976-84, 1978.

Zweben LL: Mercury poisoning: A case history. J New Jersey Dent Assoc 10-1,
Winter 1978.

Albers JW, Cavender GD, Levine SP, Langolf GD: Asymptomatic sensorimotor
polyneuropathy in workers exposed to elemental mercury. Neurology
32:1168-74,1982.

Adams CR, Ziegler DK, Lin JT: Mercury intoxication simulating amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis. J Amer Med Assoc 250:642-3,1983.

Cook TA, Yates PO: Fatal mercury intoxication in dental surgery assistant.
Br Dent J 127:553-5,1969.

Ritchie, KA; MacDonald, EB; Hammersly, R; McGowan, DA; Dale, IM; Wesnes, K.
Psychomotor Testing of Dentists with Chronic Low-Level Mercury Exposure. J
Dent Res. 74(S1):420, A-160.

Echeverria, D; Heyer, NJ; Martin, MD; Naleway, CA; Woods, JS; Bittner AC,
Jr. Behavioral Effects of Low-Level Exposure to Hg° Among Dentists.
Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 17(2):161-168, 1995.

D. Gonzalez-Ramirez, et al., 1995

Shapiro, IM; et al. Neurophysiological and neuroDsvchological function in
mercury exposed dentists. Lancet, 1(8282):1147-1150, 1982.

Uzzell, BP; et al. Chronic low-level mercury exposure and neuropsychological
functioning. J Clin Exp Neuropsych. 8(5): 581-593, 1986.

Foo, SC; Ngim, CH; Salleh, I; Jeyaratnam, J; Boey, KW. Neurobehavioral
Effects in Occupational Chemical Exposure. Environ Res. 1993, Feb. 60(2):
267-73.

Ngim CH, Foo SC, Boey KW and Jeyartnam J. Chronic neurobehavioral effects of
elemental mercury in dentists. British Journal of Industrial Medicine
49:782-790, 1992.

Cross et al., 1978.Blood of Dentists, Lancet, 312, Aug.. 5, 1978

Cutright D.E., Miller R.A. and Battistone G.C.: Systemic Mercury Levels
Caused by Inhaling Mist During High-Speed Amalgam Grinding, J. Oral Med. 28,
100, 1973

Rubber Dam Must Be Used When Removing Amalgam

Particulate Inhalation during the removal of amalgam restorations. Nimo A.,
WerleyMS., Martin JS., Tansy F. J. Pros. Dent. Feb 1990

Particulate Inhalation in Dentists

Dentists were exposed to moderate amounts of fully respirable particles for
all conditions tested.

Particles become lodged in Terminal Bronchi & lower in respiratory tract

Dentists exposed over a long period of time

Particulate Inhalation during the removal of amalgam restorations. Nimo A.,
WerleyMS., Martin JS., Tansy F. J. Pros. Dent. Feb 1990

"Water coolant and suction had little effect on dentists exposure to
respirable particles"

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/15721/story.htm

     LONDON - Dentists are more likely to suffer memory and kidney problems
which could be due to long-term exposure to mercury in tooth fillings,
doctors said today.

     A study of 180 dentists by researchers at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary
in Scotland found they had up to four times the normal level of mercury in
their urine and nails and had more kidney disorders and memory lapses than
the general public.
     "We found several differences in the health and cognitive functioning
between our dentists and the control group," Dr Ewan Macdonald said in a
report in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

     "These differences could not be directly attributed to their exposure
to mercury, but as mercury exposure at higher levels is known to cause
similar health effects an association cannot be ruled out," he added.

     Mercury has been used in dentistry for about 150 years but some
dentists and researchers believe the fillings can give off harmful vapours
that can be dangerous for dentists and patients.

     Critics of the fillings claim the mercury can poison the body and lead
to health problems affecting the kidneys and other organs and neurological
diseases such as Alzheimer's.

     But dental associations say it is safe when mixed with other metals
and there are no scientific studies to prove a link between the filling and
health problems.

     The researchers in Glasgow compared mercury levels in urine, hair and
nail samples and the results of psychomotor skills, response times, word
recall and health problems of the 180 dentists and an equal number of
volunteers.

     The dentists had higher levels of the metal in their bodies, reported
more health problems and did worse on the tests than the volunteers.

     "The prevalence of self reported renal disease and memory disorders
reflects other reports and suggests that these may be occupationally
related," Macdonald added.

http://www.zipworld.com.au/~rgammal/Are_Dentist_Really_Healthy.html

http://tinyurl.com/ccz3

Health and neuropsychological functioning of dentists exposed to mercury.

Ritchie KA, Gilmour WH, Macdonald EB, Burke FJ, McGowan DA, Dale IM,
Hammersley R, Hamilton RM, Binnie V, Collington D.

Institute of Hearing Research (Scottish Section), Glasgow Royal Infirmary,
Glasgow, Scotland, UK. k...@ihr.gla.ac.uk

OBJECTIVES: A cross sectional survey of dentists in the west of Scotland and
unmatched controls was conducted to find the effect of chronic exposure to
mercury on health and cognitive functioning. METHODS: 180 dentists were
asked to complete a questionnaire that included items on handling of
amalgam, symptoms experienced, possible influences on psychomotor function,
and the 12 item general health questionnaire. Dentists were asked to
complete a dental chart of their own mouths and to give samples of urine,
hair, and nails for mercury analysis. Environmental measurements of mercury
in dentists' surgeries were made and participants undertook a package of
computerised psychomotor tests. 180 control subjects underwent a similar
procedure, completing a questionnaire, having their amalgam surfaces
counted, giving urine, hair, and nail samples and undergoing the psychomotor
test package. RESULTS: Dentists had, on average, urinary mercury
concentrations over four times that of control subjects, but all but one
dentist had urinary mercury below the Health and Safety Executive health
guidance value. Dentists were significantly more likely than control
subjects to have had disorders of the kidney and memory disturbance. These
symptoms were not significantly associated with urinary mercury
concentration. Differences were found between the psychomotor performance of
dentists and controls after adjusting for age and sex, but there was no
significant association between changes in psychomotor response and mercury
concentrations in urine, hair, or nails. CONCLUSIONS: Several differences in
health and cognitive functioning between dentists and controls were found.
These differences could not be directly attributed to their exposure to
mercury. However, as similar health effects are known to be associated with
mercury exposure, it would be appropriate to consider a system of health
surveillance of dental staff with particular emphasis on symptoms associated
with mercury toxicity where there is evidence of high levels of exposure to
environmental mercury.

PMID: 11983843 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/dbhg9

Neurophysiological and neuropsychological function in mercury-exposed
dentists.

Shapiro IM, Cornblath DR, Sumner AJ, Uzzell B, Spitz LK, Ship II, Bloch P.

In a study of the relation between cumulative exposure to mercury and
chronic health impairment 298 dentists had their mercury levels measured by
an X-ray fluorescence technique. Electrodiagnostic and neuropsychological
findings in the dentists with more than 20 micrograms/g tissue mercury
levels were compared with those of a control group consisting of dentists
with no detectable mercury levels. 30% of the 23 high mercury dentists had
polyneuropathies. No polyneuropathies were detected in the control group.
The high mercury group had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had more
symptom-distress than did the control group. These findings suggest that the
use of mercury as a restorative material is a health risk for dentists.

PMID: 6122938 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/msg59

Neuropsychological effects of low mercury exposure in dental staff in
Erzurum, Turkey.

Aydin N, Karaoglanoglu S, Yigit A, Keles MS, Kirpinar I, Seven N.

Ataturk Universitesi, Tip Fakultesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, 25240
Erzurum, Turkey. nmd...@hotmail.com

OBJECTIVE: To carry out measurements of the Hg levels and personal exposure
in Turkish dental clinics, and to evaluate possible adverse effects on the
CNS in dental personnel. SETTING: Five dental clinics (1 private, 4 public)
in Erzurum, Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 43, Hg vapour-exposed dental staff
were examined and 43 hospital employees with no known exposure to Hg acted
as the control group. Hg concentrations in plasma and urine were analysed by
atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Possible effects on the central nervous
system (CNS) were estimated by neuropsychological tests (Weschler Memory
Scale-Revised (WMS-R) and Verbal Test of Memory Processes (VTMP)) and two
self-administered questionnaires (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)
and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)). RESULTS: The dental staff group had
higher whole blood (B-Hg) and urine (U-Hg) Hg levels than the control group.
The mean B-Hg value was 2.18 nmol/l and U-Hg was 1.17 nmol/mmol creatinine.
U-Hg had an inverse relationship with logical memory (in WMS-R test) and
total retention score (in VTMP test), and a positive relationship with
increased scores of Anxiety and Psychoticism (in SCL-90-R). CONCLUSION:
These results may represent long-term consequences of low Hg exposure. In
dentistry, to decrease toxic effects, proper Hg hygiene should be practiced
by all dental health care workers.

http://tinyurl.com/z6jhk

Behavioral effects of low-level exposure to elemental Hg among dentists.

Echeverria D, Heyer NJ, Martin MD, Naleway CA, Woods JS, Bittner AC Jr.

Battelle Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation (CPHRE), Seattle,
WA 98105, USA.

Exposure thresholds for health effects associated with elemental mercury (Hg
degree) exposure were examined by comparing behavioral test scores of 19
exposed (mean urinary Hg = 36 micrograms/l) with those of 20 unexposed
dentists. Thirty-six micrograms Hg/l is 7 times greater than the 5
micrograms Hg/l mean level measured in a national sample of dentists. To
improve the distinction between recent and cumulative effects, the study
also evaluated porphyrin concentrations in urine, which are correlated with
renal Hg content (a measure of cumulative body burden). Subjects provided an
on-site spot urine sample, were administered a 1-h assessment consisting of
a consent form, the Profile of Mood Scales, a symptom and medical
questionnaire, and 6 behavioral tests: digit-span, symbol-digit
substitution, simple reaction time, the ability to switch between tasks,
vocabulary, and the One Hole Test. Multivariate regression techniques were
used to evaluate dose-effects controlling for the effects of age, race,
gender and alcohol consumption. A dose-effect was considered statistically
significant below a p value of 0.05. Significant urinary Hg dose-effects
were found for poor mental concentration, emotional lability, somatosensory
irritation, and mood scores. Individual tests evaluating cognitive and motor
function changed in the expected directions but were not significantly
associated with urinary Hg. However, the pooled sum of rank scores for
combinations of tests within domains were significantly associated with
urinary Hg, providing evidence of subtle preclinical changes in behavior
associated with Hg exposure. Coproporphyrin, one of three urinary porphyrins
altered by mercury exposure, was significantly associated with deficits in
digit span and simple reaction time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Publication Types:
 a.. Clinical Trial
 b.. Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 7760775 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/qehsr

Women in dental surgeries: reproductive hazards in occupational exposure to
metallic mercury.

Sikorski R, Juszkiewicz T, Paszkowski T, Szprengier-Juszkiewicz T.

Clinic of Gynaecology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academy of
Medicine, Lublin, Poland.

Eighty-one women (45 dentists and 36 dental assistants) occupationally
exposed to metallic mercury underwent a toxicoclinical examination. Total
mercury lebels (TMLs) were determined in scalp and pubic hair by cold vapour
AAS. Furthermore a detailed questionnaire study was made concerning adverse
reproductive events. TMLs in the hair of the exposed women examined exceeded
significantly those determined in the hair of 34 controls not exposed to
mercury. All exposed women had continued working during pregnancy. There was
a significant, positive association between TMLs in the hair of exposed
women and the occurrence of reproductive failures in their history. The
relation between TMLs in the scalp hair and the prevalence of menstrual
cycle disorders was statistically significant. These findings indicate that
dental work could be another occupational hazard with respect to
reproductive processes.

PMID: 3679554 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://tinyurl.com/rvmr5

Neurophysiological and neuropsychological function in mercury-exposed
dentists.

Shapiro IM, Cornblath DR, Sumner AJ, Uzzell B, Spitz LK, Ship II, Bloch P.

In a study of the relation between cumulative exposure to mercury and
chronic health impairment 298 dentists had their mercury levels measured by
an X-ray fluorescence technique. Electrodiagnostic and neuropsychological
findings in the dentists with more than 20 micrograms/g tissue mercury
levels were compared with those of a control group consisting of dentists
with no detectable mercury levels. 30% of the 23 high mercury dentists had
polyneuropathies. No polyneuropathies were detected in the control group.
The high mercury group had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had more
symptom-distress than did the control group. These findings suggest that the
use of mercury as a restorative material is a health risk for dentists.

PMID: 6122938 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.chem-tox.com/immunesystem/dentalfillings/amalgams.htm

http://www.nutrition4health.org/NOHAnews/NNF98SilverFillingsUpdate.htm

http://www.bioprobe.com/ReadNews.asp?article=28
~~~~~~~~

For starters.
care should be exercised in handling mercury so that it
will not come in contact with articles made of precious metals,
especially rings and other jewelry".

See above.