The effect of dental amalgams on mercury levels in expired air.

Author: Svare CW, Peterson LC, Reinhardt JW, Boyer DB, Frank CW, Gay DD, Cox RD.

Source: J Dent Res.

Year: 1981

Comment:

This study finds that chewing can result in higher releases of mercury vapor.

Abstract / Excerpt:

“The expired air of a group of 48 persons, 40 with and eight without dental amalgam restorations, was analyzed for its mercury content before and after chewing. Expired air samples were collected in polyethylene bags, and a known quantity of each was pumped into the mercury detector for measurement. The results showed that examined subjects with dental amalgams had higher pre-chewing mercury levels in their expired air than those without amalgams. After chewing, these levels were increased an average of 15.6-fold in the former and remained unchanged in the latter group. It was concluded that in situ dental amalgams can increase the level of mercury in expired air.”

Citation:

Svare CW, Peterson LC, Reinhardt JW, Boyer DB, Frank CW, Gay DD, et al. The effect of dental amalgams on mercury levels in expired air. J Dent Res. 1981; 60:1668–71.