Abstract
In a study of the relation between cumulative exposure to mercury and chronic health impairment 298 dentists had their mercury levels measured by an X-ray fluorescence technique. Electrodiagnostic and neuropsychological findings in the dentists with more than 20 μg/g tissue mercury levels were compared with those of a control group consisting of dentists with no detectable mercury levels. 30% of the 23 high mercury dentists had polyneuropathies. No polyneuropathies were detected in the control group. The high mercury group had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had more symptom-distress than did the control group. These findings suggest that the use of mercury as a restorative material is a health risk for dentists.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1147-1150 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | The Lancet |
Volume | 319 |
Issue number | 8282 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 22 1982 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)