Author: Khwaja MA, Abbasi MS.
Source: Rev Environ Health.
Year: 2014
Comment:
The researchers conclude, "In order to reduce the risk of mercury exposure to public health, we strongly recommend that the use of hazardous mercury be banned for operative dentistry and other uses, through signing and ratifying the Minamata Convention on mercury (2013) by the national governments of the world at the earliest time possible."
Abstract / Excerpt:
“Mercury (Hg), also known as quick silver, is an essential constituent of dental amalgam. It is a toxic substance of global concern. Children are more at risk from mercury poisoning which affects their neurological development and brain. In the past, a number of studies at dental sites in many countries have been carried out and reported. The present report briefly describes and discusses our recent investigations carried out at 34 dental sites (teaching institutions, hospitals and private clinics) in Pakistan. It is evident from the data that at many sites the indoor mercury vapor levels exceed far above the permissible limit recommended for safe physical and mental health. At these sites, public in general and the medical, paramedical staff and vulnerable population in particular, are at most serious risk to health resulting from exposure to toxic and hazardous mercury. To minimize such risk, some of the recommendations are, best in-house environmental practices for occupational health and safety, mercury contaminated waste reduction at source, mercury specific legislation and ratification of Minamata convention on mercury by Pakistan and other world governments at the earliest time possible.”
Citation:
Khwaja MA, Abbasi MS. Mercury poisoning dentistry: high-level indoor air mercury contamination at selected dental sites. Rev Environ Health. 2014;29(1-2):29-31.