Absorption and excretion of mercury in man. XV. Occupational exposure among dentists

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1968 · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1968.10665185· OSTI ID:6576682

Josclow, M M; Goldwater, L J; Alvarez, A; Herndon, J

To evaluate the occupational hazard of the use of mercury by dentists, determinations were made of 1) the total mercury and vapor concentrations in a group of urban dental offices; and 2) the urinary excretion of mercury by the dentists. In a small but significant proportion (14%) of these offices, mercury concentrations were found in excess of the threshold limit value, implying a lack of care in handling mercury. The average total mercury concentration was more than twice the average vapor concentration, clearly inferring that mercury particulates cannot be ignored in assessing the dental work environment. Absorption of mercury was evidenced by higher than normal urinary mercury levels, which correlated well with both the total ambient air concentrations and estimated exposure times. 28 references, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York, NY
• OSTI ID: 6576682
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 17; ISSN AEHLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
BUILDINGS
CLEARANCE
DENTISTRY
ELEMENTS
EXCRETION
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
MERCURY
METALS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OFFICE BUILDINGS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
SAFETY
VAPORS
VERTEBRATES