Risk assessment of mercury exposure from dental amalgams

Journal Article · · J. Public Health Dent.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.1988.tb03188.x· OSTI ID:7090596

Reinhardt, J W

Much attention is being focused upon the issue of mercury exposure from dental amalgam restorations and the potential for adverse health effects. This controversy has grown beyond the confines of the dental profession itself and is becoming an emotional public health issue. In hope of regaining good health, many dental patients with chronic systemic diseases are considering replacement of their amalgams. Dentists are increasingly being challenged to prove the safety of amalgams. Recently, systematic methods have been established for quantitative evaluation of environmental risks. This study brings together the quantitative methodologies of risk assessment and the knowledge of mercury exposure from dental amalgams to estimate the safety of dental amalgam restorative therapy. Analysis concludes that the margin of safety for mercury toxicity in humans from dental amalgams is approximately 8- to 30-fold. There are many uncertainties involved in this estimate, and further studies are warranted to improve its precision. 48 references.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7090596
• Journal Information: J. Public Health Dent.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Public Health Dent.; (United States) Vol. 48:3; ISSN JPHDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550600 -- Medicine
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARIES
DENTISTRY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MEDICINE
MERCURY
METALS
ORAL CAVITY
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
REVIEWS
RISK ASSESSMENT
TEETH