Skare I, Bergstrom T, Engquist A & Weiner JA. Mercury exposure of different origins among dentists and dental nurses. Scand J Work Environ Health 16:340-347 (1990)

Abstract: "Mercury exposure was studied among dental personnel with the use of urinary mercury excretion rates and questionaries. The study covered 314 dentists and dental nurses employed in public clinics and private practices in Stockholm. The obtained urinary mercury excretion rates were analyzed by stepwise regression for assigning them to different origins, such as environmental factors, number of amalgam surfaces, chewing of gum, kind of employment and profession, age, sex, amalgam handling time, and use of amalgam capsules. One the average the occupational contribution to the total urinary excretion rate was small and of the same order as the contribution from their own amalgam fillings (approximately 2 ug of mercury/24 h). There were, however, individuals showing excretion rates close to the levels at which effects on the central nervous system and the kidneys have been reported."

Skare I & Engqvist A. Human Exposure to Mercury and Silver Released from Dental Amalgam Restorations. Archives of Environmental Health 49:384-394 (1994)

Abstract: "In 35 healthy individuals, the number of amalgam surfaces was related to the emission rate of mercury into the oral cavity and to the excretion rate of mercury by urine. Oral emissions ranged up to 125 microg Hg/24 h, and urinary excretions ranged from 0.4 to 19 ug Hg/24 h. In 10 cases, urinary and fecal excretions of mercury and silver were also measured. Fecal excretions ranged from 1 to 190 microg Hg/24 h and from 4 to 97 microg Ag/24h. Except for urinary silver excretion, a high interplay between the variables was exhibited. The worst case individual showed a fecal mercury excretion amounting to 100 times the mean intake of total Hg from a normal Swedish diet. With regard to a Swedish middle-age individual, the systemic uptake of mercury from amalgam was, on average, predicted to be 12 microg Hg/24 h."

Slee PH, den Ottolander GJ & Wolff FA. A Case of Merbromin (Mercurochrome - eg trade mark) Intoxication Possibly Resulting in Aplastic Anemia. Acta Med Scand 205:463-466 (1979)

Abstract: "A patient is described who appeared to be suffering from mercury ntoxication caused by local application of merbromin to an operation wound nd who developed aplastic anemia, which we ascribed to merbromin."

Socialstyrelsen (The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare). Socialstyrelsens allmanna rad om utredning av patienter som satter sina symtom samband med kvicksilver fran amalgam. Socialstyrelsens forfattningssamling

SOSFS 1991:6 ISSN 0346-6000 (In Swedish)

No abstract available

Soremark R, Wing K, Olsson K & Goldin J. Penetration of metallic ions from estorations into teeth. J Pros Dent 20(6): 539 (1968)

Abstract: "The efflux of metal ions from metal restorations and their penetration into dental tissues have been studied with the use of thermal neutron activation followed by gamma-ray spectrometric analysis, laser-emission spectroscopic microanalysis, and autoradiographic studies. The results show significant concentrations of metal ions in both enamel and dentin from amalgam, chromium-cobalt, and cast-gold restorations after short periods in or on the teeth. The highest concentrations occurred in the regions closest to the restorations especially within the dental tubules cut during cavity preparation. Use of a cavity liner was found to prevent migration of corrosion products from metal restorations into teeth."

Stromberg R & Langworth S. (A case of unusually high mercury exposure from amalgam fillings.) Ett fall med ovanligt hog kvicksilver-exponering fran amalgamfyllningar. Tandlakartidningen 88(10):570-572 (1996) (In Swedish with

Abstract in English)

Abstract: "This report describes the symptoms of a patient who suffered from several complaints, which she herself ascribed to her amalgam fillings. Analysis of mercury in plasma and urine showed unexpectedly high concentrations, 63 and 223 nmol/l, respectively. After removal of the amalgam fillings, the urinary excretion of mercury gradually became normal and her symptoms declined during an observation period of three years."

Tamashiro H, Arakaki M, Akagi H, Murao K, Hirayama K & Smolensky MH. of ethanol on methyl mercury toxicity in rats. J Toxicol Environ Health 18(4):595-605 (1986).

Abstract: "This study was designed to investigate the effect of different doses of ethanol on the morbidity, mortality, and distribution of mercury in the tissues of groups of rats treated orally once daily with methyl mercury chloride (MMC: 5 mg/kg . d) for 10 consecutive days. Ethanol potentiated the toxicity of methyl mercury in terms of neurological manifestations (hindleg crossings and abnormal gait) and mortality. The magnitude of effect depended on the concentration of ethanol administered. The concentration of mercury in the kidney and brain also increased with the dose of ethanol given. These findings indicate that epidemiologic studies designed to evaluate methyl mercury toxicity must take into account the multiple environmental burdens that can affect the population cumulatively and simultaneously."

Tandvardsskadeforbundet, TF. (Swedish Association of Dental Mercury Patients). ABC on mercury-poisoning from dental amalgam fillings. Handbook for victims of mercury-poisoning from dental amalgam. Nov 1993 (Booklet)

No abstract available. Quotation follows: "...The primary symptoms of mercury-poisoning are vague psychic ones. Short-time memory deteriorates. You will find it difficult to concentrate on tasks which require attention and thinking. It is easier to execute tasks that are well known rather than to learn something new. You avoid social contacts which demand that you get out of your introvert behavior. You loose your temper easily and switch between different moods for no particular reason. Little by little, a more physical kind of exhaustion is added to the condition. More and more effort is to initiate activities and sometimes break things due to inability to co-ordinate your movements with your visual impressions (ataxia). Occasional headaches, minor involuntary muscle spasms or ticks within groups of muscles can also appear. Hands and feet become easily cold, attacks of dizziness or vertigo can occur, and periodically you may find it difficult to focus your eyes and to see clearly. Joint and muscle pains, stiffness, lumbago and similar symptoms often appear at an early stage. They can be caused or increased by low availability of the trace element selenium. Nervous heart, sometimes accompanied by a week pulse, sometimes by a hard pulse, creates a feeling of anxiety. You don't sleep well, you wake up stiff and never feel thoroughly rested. As a whole you need more sleep than before, and you are constantly tired. Some individuals develop pronounced intestinal and stomach disturbances. Bloating is common and diarrhea can alternate with constipation. From 50 to 200 micrograms mercury from amalgam daily passes gastrointestinal tract. There is usually irritation where mercury first interacts with tissues. The upper respiratory tract easily becomes chronically inflamed and symptoms in mouth appear. The gums bleed when you brush your teeth, red and white irritations (lichen, leukoplakia) araise, blisters and sensitivity to certain nutritives develop, ypur teeth ache, the whole jaw can become more or less inflamed, and some persons develop sinusitis. Metal taste in your mouth is a direct sign of metal-poisoning (mercury, copper). The more poisoned you are, the more serious and chronic your problems become. The piruitary gland will be affected which often leads to frequent urination. When the thyroid gland is affected secondary effects on metabolism can appear. Both glands accumulate mercury. neurological symptoms such as numbness, hypersensitivity and paralysis exacerbate. It is often hard to determine if the cause is in the nervous or circulatory systems..."

Also make sure to read these books: Poison in Your Teeth: Mercury Amalgam (Silver) Fillings...Hazardous to Your Health! and Mercury Detoxification by Tom McGuire