NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION IN MERCURY-EXPOSED DENTISTS

Irving M. Shapiro; Austin J. Sumner; Lawrence K. Spitz; David R. Cornblath; Barbara Uzzell; Irwin I. Ship; Peter Bloch

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(82)92226-7

NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION IN MERCURY-EXPOSED DENTISTS

Irving M. Shapiro, Austin J. Sumner, Lawrence K. Spitz, David R. Cornblath, Barbara Uzzell, Irwin I. Ship, Peter Bloch

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

84 Scopus citations

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)
Pages (from-to)	1147-1150
Number of pages	4
Journal	The Lancet
Volume	319
Issue number	8282
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(82)92226-7
State	Published - May 22 1982
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

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10.1016/S0140-6736(82)92226-7

Cite this

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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.",

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AU - Shapiro, Irving M.

AU - Sumner, Austin J.

AU - Spitz, Lawrence K.

AU - Cornblath, David R.

AU - Uzzell, Barbara

AU - Ship, Irwin I.

AU - Bloch, Peter

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AB - 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.

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NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION IN MERCURY-EXPOSED DENTISTS

Abstract

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