Women in dental surgeries: reproductive hazards in occupational exposure to metallic mercury

Abstract

Eighty-one women (45 dentists and 36 dental assistants) occupationally exposed to metallic mercury underwent a toxicoclinical examination. Total mercury lebels (TMLs) were determined in scalp and pubic hair by cold vapour AAS. Furthermore a detailed questionnaire study was made concerning adverse reproductive events. TMLs in the hair of the exposed women examined exceeded significantly those determined in the hair of 34 controls not exposed to mercury. All exposed women had continued working during pregnancy. There was a significant, positive association between TMLs in the hair of exposed women and the occurrence of reproductive failures in their history. The relation between TMLs in the scalp hair and the prevalence of menstrual cycle disorders was statistically significant. These findings indicate that dental work could be another occupational hazard with respect to reproductive processes.

High exposure of Chinese mercury mine workers to elemental mercury vapor and increased methylmercury levels in their hair

“…Under a steady state condition, the hair to blood Hg concentration ratio is about 250-300. However, when other groups such as dentists and gold miners are exposed to Hg 0 vapor (23,24) The high MeHg concentration in the hair samples from the exposed group was another interesting finding, even though the percentage of MeHg with respect to THg in this group was very low. People living in or nearby mining areas seldom eat fish of any kind, because these areas are mountainous, have no rivers with fish, and are distant from the sea.…”

Risk of Congenital Malformations Associated with Proximity to Hazardous Waste Sites

“…Occupational studies have identified similar effects in humans. Higher rates of birth defects have been detected in children of workers exposed to mercury, organic solvents, and other chemicals (6)(7)(8)(9). However, community studies, based on reported disease clusters around hazardous waste sites, have rarely been able to document significant increases in congenital defects in infants born to exposed individuals (10)(11)(12).…”

Health Effects of Metals in Particulate Matter

“…Mercury vapor has reproductive effects in occupationally exposed women (dental assistants and dentists), reports included abortion, stillbirth and menstrual disorders (irregularity, painful or hemorrhagic menstrual bleeding) [195]. Polymenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea [196] and reduced fertility [197] it was also observed in women working in a lamp factory and dental assistants, respectively.…”