Mercury as a health hazard.

Curtis, Harry A.; Ferguson, S D; Kell, Rosemarie; Samuel, A. H.

doi:10.1136/adc.62.3.293

Cited by 31 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Exposure to high doses of mercury, specifically methylmercury from industrial accidents or contamination of food, has been associated with adverse birth outcomes and neurodevelopment 11,32–37 . The effects of occupational exposure to mercury vapour on reproductive and developmental outcomes have been evaluated but remain ambiguous 38–42 . Mercury exposure from receiving dental treatment is generally low, even though dental amalgams are the most common source of human exposure to inorganic mercury in the general population 11,12,43–45 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal dental history, child's birth outcome and early cognitive development

Daniels

Rowland

Longnecker

et al. 2007

Paediatric Perinatal Epid

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Summary Prenatal exposure to high levels of mercury, radiation and inflammation have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes such as increases in preterm delivery, low birthweight and delayed neurodevelopment. Few data are available to evaluate the potential effects of prenatal low‐level exposure to these factors as may occur during dental care. We evaluated maternal dental history prior to and during pregnancy in relation to birth outcomes and early communicative development among offspring in a large cohort (n = 7375) of British children born in 1991–92. Dental history was assessed by questionnaire. The child's communicative development was assessed using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory at 15 months of age. Total mercury was measured in umbilical cord tissue for a subset of the children. Overall, dental care, including amalgam fillings, was not associated with birth outcomes or language development. Having X‐rays taken during pregnancy was not associated with birthweight measured continuously (b = 14.7, P = 0.4), but was associated with slightly increased odds of having a term, low‐birthweight baby (OR 1.9, [95% confidence interval 1.0, 3.4]). More detailed evaluation of the potential adverse effects of elective dental treatment during pregnancy, particularly dental X‐rays, may be warranted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal dental history, child's birth outcome and early cognitive development

Daniels

Rowland

Longnecker

et al. 2007

Paediatric Perinatal Epid

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show abstract

“…The secrecy which surrounded all aspects of this disease and the Protean manifestations of syphilis may well have kept hidden many of the effects of mercury poisoning. ‘Pink disease’ or acrodynia, red and painful peeling fingers and toes, was a common paediatric affliction in the days of mercury ‘teething powders’[21]. Clusters of acrodynia have been reported in modern times but mercury levels were not measured [22].…”

Section: Mercurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemics of vascular toxicity and pulmonary hypertension: what can be learned?

Egermayer¹

2000

Journal of Internal Medicine

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Abstract. Egermayer P (Canterbury RespiratoryResearchEpidemics of vascular disease caused by toxins and infectious agents affecting both humans and animals have been common in history. Examples of agents implicated include anorexients, ergotamine, mercury, arsenic, vinyl chloride, thorotrast, plant alkaloids, nitrites, toxic oil, tryptophan and bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. A major characteristic of these disorders is endothelial dysfunction, which may manifest itself in vasospastic disorders, sclerodermiform skin lesions, fibrosis, osteolytic lesions, polyneuropathy and portal and pulmonary hypertension. Angiosarcoma may also be a late outcome. These diseases are more common than is generally appreciated. The aetiology is usually multifactorial. This and other factors contribute to delayed recognition.

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“…Although Hg was used in a wide range of medicinal products at the time, the primary culprit was determined to be teething powders containing calomel (mercurous chloride). Following the removal of calomel from most teething powders in 1954, pink disease essentially disappeared ( Curtis et al 1987 ). Interestingly, however, while millions of teething powders were sold (some 7 million annually in North England alone of one of the most famous brands, Steedman's Teething Powder), only 1 in 500 exposed children developed pink disease ( Emsley 2005 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ancestry of Pink Disease (Infantile Acrodynia) Identified as a Risk Factor for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Shandley

Austin

2011

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

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Pink disease (infantile acrodynia) was especially prevalent in the first half of the 20th century. Primarily attributed to exposure to mercury (Hg) commonly found in teething powders, the condition was developed by approximately 1 in 500 exposed children. The differential risk factor was identified as an idiosyncratic sensitivity to Hg. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have also been postulated to be produced by Hg. Analogous to the pink disease experience, Hg exposure is widespread yet only a fraction of exposed children develop an ASD, suggesting sensitivity to Hg may also be present in children with an ASD. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that individuals with a known hypersensitivity to Hg (pink disease survivors) may be more likely to have descendants with an ASD. Five hundred and twenty-two participants who had previously been diagnosed with pink disease completed a survey on the health outcomes of their descendants. The prevalence rates of ASD and a variety of other clinical conditions diagnosed in childhood (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, Fragile X syndrome, and Down syndrome) were compared to well-established general population prevalence rates. The results showed the prevalence rate of ASD among the grandchildren of pink disease survivors (1 in 25) to be significantly higher than the comparable general population prevalence rate (1 in 160). The results support the hypothesis that Hg sensitivity may be a heritable/genetic risk factor for ASD.

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Mercury as a health hazard.

Cited by 31 publications

References 3 publications

Maternal dental history, child's birth outcome and early cognitive development

Maternal dental history, child's birth outcome and early cognitive development

Epidemics of vascular toxicity and pulmonary hypertension: what can be learned?

Ancestry of Pink Disease (Infantile Acrodynia) Identified as a Risk Factor for Autism Spectrum Disorders

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