Fredin B. Studies on the Mercury Release from Dental Amalgam Fillings. Swed J Biol Med no 3, 1988 pp 8-15.

Abstract: "Several aspects of Hg release from dental amalgam tooth fillings were examined both in vivo and in vitro. By light microscopy Hg globules (diameter = 1-2 um) were observed on amalgam surfaces. Hg vapor was measured in exhaled air before and after 5 minutes of gum chewing in 3 groups of subjects with varying numbers of dental amalgams (Group 1: having symptoms similar to chronic low dose Hg exposure, N=22; Group 3: having no apparent symptoms and considered healthy, N=20; Group 3: controls having no amalgam fillings; N=10). Groups 1 and 2 both demonstrated a significant 3-fold increase in Hg vapor levels after chewing, while levels in controls remained undetectable. A mouth rinse of hot water (55°C) in Group 2 resulted in a further increase in Hg vapor levels. Saliva samples (1 ml) from 17 subjects in group 2, collected before and after chewing, showed a significant 8-fold increase in Hg concentrations after chewing. In a fourth group Hg absorption by the oral mucosa was studied, Group 4, N=10, A notably high absorption was found after 3 minutes. It is concluded that dental amalgam should be considered an unstable alloy constituting a long term Hg exposure and toxicologically unsuitable as a dental filling material."

Gay DD, Cox RD, Reinhardt JW. Chewing releases mercury from fillings. Lancet 8123: 985-986 (1979)

No abstract available. Citation from the text follows: "...We found that the level of elemental mercury in expired breath of patients with silver amalgams up to 2 years old increased almost four times after a 15 min period of chewing (see table). The patients with no silver-mercury fillings had lower levels of mercury than did patients with fillings, and their mercury levels were not affected by chewing. One patient with no fillings was also a heavy smoker yet no increase in mercury was observed... "

Godfrey ME. Chronic illness in association with dental amalgam: Report of two cases. J Adv Med 3:247-255 (1990)

Abstract: "Two case studies, involving multiple symptomatology, are presented. A casual relationship with dental amalgam is proposed, with remission of symptoms and signs following removal of the source."

Gothe CJ, Molin C & Nilsson CG. The environmental somatization syndrome. Psychosomatics 36(1):1-11 (1995)

"Patients with environmental somatization syndrome (ESS) believe that their symptoms are caused by exposure to tangible components of the external environment or by ergonomic stress at work. ESS is distinguishable by mental contagiousness and by the patients' focus on the external environment as cause of the illness. The presentation is often polysymptomatic, and epidemic outbreaks may appear. The patients usually refuse alternative explanations of their symptoms and discredit and reject any suggestion of a psychogenic etiology. It is important to distinguish between hygienic problems and ESS problems, particularly when poor and inadequate hygienic factors are present simultaneously with an ESS epidemic."

Hadsund P. The tin-mercury mirror: its manufacturing technique and deterioration processes. Studies in Conservation 38:3-16 (1993)

Abstract: "Mirrors made of glass backed with a reflective coating of tin amalgam first came into general use in the sixteenth century. Production ceased around 1900. The mirrors were made by sliding glass over tin foil flooded with mercury. The mercury reacts with tin to form a layer of crystals containing about 19% of mercury alloyed with the tin. The voids between the crystals are filled with a flud phase containing about 0.5% tin in mercury. This two- phase reflective coating changes with time: the crystals grow larger and cover a greater proportion of the glass surface, while mercury slowly evaporates. In time, tiny voids appear between glass and amalgam. The fluid phase also migrates to the bottom of the mirror. Corrosion of the amalgam produces tin dioxide and tin monoxide and releases liquid mercury from the solid phase. Amalgam mirrors contribute a few micrograms of mercury per cubic metre of air in a room. Measured values have all been far below the official toxic limit of 50 ug/m3. The frames often contain drops of mercury and special precautions are necessary for safe transport, repair and disposal of the mirrors."

Haeney MR, Carter GF, Yeoman WB & Thompson RA. Long-term parental exposure to mercury in patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia. Br Med J 2:12-14 (1979)

Abstract: "Patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia commonly receive regular long-term replacement therapy with a concentrate of pooled normal human immunoglobulin G (IgG) containing an organic mercury compound (thiomersal) as a preservative. In 26 such patients the total estimated mercury dosage received ranged from 4 to 734 mg (mean 157 mg) over tretment periods of six months to 17 years (mean 6.5 years). Nineteen patients (73%) had raised urine mercury concentrations, but no correlation was found between urine mercury and the age of the patient, the IgG dose, or the duration of treatment. Urine mercury concentrations are often used to control exposure and evaluate risks in exposed subjects. Hence most patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia are theoretically at risk from mercury exposure, although no clinical evidence of toxicity is yet apparent."

Hakansson B, Yontchev E, Vannerberg N-G & Hedegard B. An examination of the surface corrosion state of dental fillings and constructions. I. A laboratory investigation of the corrosion behaviour of dental alloys in natural saliva and saline solutions. J Oral Rehabil 13:235-246 (1986)

Abstract: "Electrochemical measurements on amalgam and gold alloys in natural saliva and saline solutions have been performed. The results show strong inhibiting effects of some components in natural saliva on the surface corrosion behaviour of amalgams. For the gold alloys the cathodic reduction oxygen was notably lower in natural saliva than in saline solutions. For galvanic combinations of gold and amalgams substantially lower currents than those calculated from thermodynamic data can be expected in natural saliva."

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