Mercury in Saliva and the Risk of Exceeding Limits for Sewage in Relation to Exposure to Amalgam Fillings

Autor: Lauri Pyy, Pentti Huovinen, Jorma Leistevuo, Tiina Leistevuo, Jorma Tenovuo, Hans Helenius
Rok vydání: 2002
Předmět:
Zdroj: Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal. 57:366-370
ISSN: 0003-9896
DOI: 10.1080/00039890209601423
Popis: The concentration of total mercury in stimulated saliva was studied in humans with dental amalgam fillings and in 2 nonamalgam groups. The probability of exceeding the limits of mercury permitted in wastewater increased proportionally as the number of amalgam-filled surfaces increased. The mercury limit for sewage is 0.05 mg/l (= 250 nmol/l) effluent, according to the Council of European Communities directive 84/156/EEC. In neither of the nonamalgam groups was this limit exceeded, but 20.5% in the amalgam group exceeded the limit (p < .001). The risk of exceeding the limit increased 2-fold for every 10 additional amalgam-filled surfaces (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.3, 3.3). These results demonstrate that humans, especially in populated areas, can be a significant source of mercury pollutants. As a consequence of mercury release, bacteria may acquire mercury resistance, as well as resistance to other antimicrobial agents, thus resulting in failure of antibiotic treatment.
Databáze: OpenAIRE