Identification of Mercury Levels on the Operator’s FaceMask During the Removal Of Dental Amalgamas: Pilot Study- Juniper Publishers
Juniper Publishers-Open Access Journal of Dentistry & Oral Health Abstract Several cases of mercury poisoning and embryotoxicity among dental personnel have been documented. The exposure level of mercury vapor upon removal of an amalgam restoration, without water irrigation and without ventilation is 0.19 mg/m3. Dentists exposed to 16.7μg/m3 of mercury in the air showed deficiencies in logic and vision. Facemasks have been used to reduce workers’ exposure to infectious and toxic aerosol material. Objective: Several cases of mercury poisoning and embryotoxicity among dental personnel have been documented. The exposure level of mercury vapor upon removal of an amalgam restoration, without water irrigation and without ventilation is 0.19 mg/m3. Dentists exposed to 16.7μg/m3 of mercury in the air showed deficiencies in logic and vision. Facemasks have been used to reduce workers’ exposure to infectious and toxic aerosol material. Methods and Materials: Several cases of mercur