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Long term exposure to mercury may impair health and memory of dentists
April 25, 2002Long term exposure to mercury may impair kidney function and memory among dentists, suggests research in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Researchers investigated the impact of mercury on 180 dentists and 180 academic staff. The dentists were asked how many hours a week they worked, and how many mercury fillings they handled. And samples of environmental mercury levels were taken from their surgeries.
Both groups gave urine, hair and nail samples to measure residual mercury levels, and they were asked how many mercury fillings they had in their own mouths. Both groups also provided information on general health and underwent tests for psychomotor skills, including response times and word recall.
Dentists had higher levels of mercury in their hair and nails and over four times the levels of mercury in their urine than did the academic staff. Urinary levels were linked to the number of hours worked, the numbers of fillings handled, and the number of fillings they had themselves.
Only one dentist had urinary levels above the threshold recommended by the Health and Safety Executive, but mercury readings were above those of the occupational standard in one or more areas in over two thirds of dental surgeries.
Dentists were significantly more likely to report kidney disorders and memory disturbances than the academic staff, and although mercury is known to accumulate in the kidneys, the findings could not be directly attributed to urinary mercury levels.
However, say the authors, “as mercury exposure at higher levels is known to cause similar health effects an association cannot be ruled out,” and they call for regular monitoring of mercury levels in dental surgeries to ensure that these do not exceed occupational standards.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Dentists had higher levels of mercury in their hair and nails and over four times the levels of mercury in their urine than did the academic staff. Urinary levels were linked to the number of hours worked, the numbers of fillings handled, and the number of fillings they had themselves.
Only one dentist had urinary levels above the threshold recommended by the Health and Safety Executive, but mercury readings were above those of the occupational standard in one or more areas in over two thirds of dental surgeries.
Dentists were significantly more likely to report kidney disorders and memory disturbances than the academic staff, and although mercury is known to accumulate in the kidneys, the findings could not be directly attributed to urinary mercury levels.
However, say the authors, “as mercury exposure at higher levels is known to cause similar health effects an association cannot be ruled out,” and they call for regular monitoring of mercury levels in dental surgeries to ensure that these do not exceed occupational standards.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
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