L. Pohl et M. Bergman, THE DENTISTS EXPOSURE TO ELEMENTAL MERCURY-VAPOR DURING CLINICAL-WORKWITH AMALGAM, Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 53(1), 1995, pp. 44-48
Continuous measurements of mercury vapor in the breathing zone of the
dentist were made under ordinary clinical conditions. Fifty old amalga
m fillings were removed and replaced by new ones. The mercury vapor me
asurements were performed by means of atomic absorption spectrophotome
try. On the basis of the type of suction device used, the measurements
were divided into seven groups, each of which consisted of a series o
f measurements. During the cutting, filling, and polishing operations
the mean mercury vapor levels in the breathing zone of the dentist wer
e in the range of 1-2 mu g Hg m(-3) air when proper mercury hygiene me
asures were taken, This is far below the currently valid threshold lim
it value (30 mu g Hg m(-3) air) in Sweden. The saliva extractor and th
e dental mirror-evacuator did not influence the mercury vapor levels w
hen used together with the high-volume evacuator. However, when only a
saliva extractor was used, the cutting of amalgam filings caused high
ly fluctuating mercury vapor levels, which were 2-15 times higher than
the threshold limit value.