RISK-ESTIMATION OF MERCURY INTAKE FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

Biological monitoring of mercury (Hg) in blood, urine and hair was per formed in volunteers with amalgam fillings, in subjects who consumed f ish and in Hg-exposed workers. It was found that both amalgam fillings and the consumption of fish burden the organism with Hg in the same o rder of magnitude. The Hg concentrations in urine in the occupationall y exposed group were higher by a factor of about 100 compared to the g roup with amalgam fillings. No pathological changes were found in the exposed workers. It seems safe to conclude that no health-related prob lems from Hg are to be expected from amalgam fillings.