Amalgam Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amalgam, including details on dental fillings, dentistry, side-effects.

Mercury exposure assessment in Iranian women's hair of a port town with respect to fish consumption and amalgam fillings.

Fakour H, Esmaili-Sari A, Zayeri F

Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, P. O. Box: 46414-356, Mazandaran, Iran.

In this study we aimed to estimate the level of mercury in women's hair and its association with fish consumption and amalgam fillings in an Iranian southern port town (named Mahshahr). A total number of 195 hair samples were collected randomly from women aged 25-45years free from occupational exposures to mercury. Additional information about these women's age, weight, height, number of pregnancies, level of education, number of amalgam fillings and fish consumption were also gathered. The determination of Hg level in hair samples was carried out by the LECO, AMA 254, Advanced Mercury Analyzer, according to ASTM standard No. D-6722. The average mercury level in these women's hair was 2.95+/-2.33microg/g (ranged from 0.07 to 24.46microg/g). In the next stage, the study participants were divided into four groups with respect to their fish consumption and number of amalgam fillings; A) <3 amalgam fillings, <3 times fish consumption per month, B) <3 amalgam fillings, >7 times fish consumption per month, C) >6 amalgam fillings, <3 times fish consumption per month, and D) >6 amalgam fillings, >7 times fish consumption per month. Statistical analysis showed that the Hg level was significantly different in these four groups (P<0.001). Mercury levels in this sample exceeded the USEPA-recommended 1mug/g in 76.4% of the studied population. Finally, the multiple linear regression results revealed that frequency of fish consumption and amalgam restorations are the most important routes of Hg exposure. However, the main determinant of Hg exposure was the intake of Hg through fish consumption.

Published 26 January 2010 in Sci Total Environ.
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Articles on Amalgam published 22 January 2010:

Real-time measurement of dentinal fluid flow during amalgam and composite restoration.   J Dent.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined changes in the dentinal fluid flow (DFF) during restorative procedures and compared permeability after restoration among restorative materials and adhesives. METHODS: A class 1 cavity was prepared and restored with either amalgam (Bestaloy), or composite (Z-250) with one of two etch-and-rinse adhesives (Scotchbond MultiPurpose: MP and Single Bond 2: SB) or one of two self-etch adhesives (Clearfil SE Bond: CE and Easy Bond: EB) on an extracted human third molar ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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Articles on Amalgam published 19 January 2010:

Health assessment of artisanal gold miners in Tanzania.   Sci Total Environ, 408(4): 796-805.

In 2003 UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) conducted an environmental and health assessment in a small-scale mining area in Tanzania. BGS (British Geological Survey) performed the environmental assessment. The Institute of Forensic Medicine - University of Munich performed the health assessment. The results of the medical, neurological and neuro-psychological examination of 180 participants from the affected area of Rwamagasa and 31 controls were analyzed. Urine, blood ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Health assessment of artisanal gold miners in Indonesia.   Sci Total Environ, 408(4): 713-25.

Small scale miners use mercury to extract gold from ore in many countries. An environmental and health assessment was performed in Indonesia in two regions, Galangan in Central Kalimantan and Talawaan in Northern Sulawesi. The environmental assessment showed severe mercury contamination of the sediments, and increased mercury levels in local fish. For the health investigation 281 volunteers were recruited and examined by a standardized questionnaire, a neurological examination and ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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Predictors of treatment outcomes after removal of amalgam fillings: associations between subjective symptoms, psychometric variables and mercury levels.   Community Dent Oral Epidemiol.

Weidenhammer W, Bornschein S, Zilker T, Eyer F, Melchart D, Hausteiner C. Predictors of treatment outcomes after removal of amalgam fillings: associations between subjective symptoms, psychometric variables and mercury levels. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010. (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract - Objective: This analysis aimed to study predictors of different treatment outcomes and associations between subjective symptoms, psychometric variables and mercury levels in patients who ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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Disentangling the impact of multiple innovations to reduce delayed hospital discharges.   J Health Serv Res Policy, 15(1): 41-6.

Delayed hospital discharges are often blamed for interrupting the smooth operation of hospitals. In England, the Community Care Act in 2003 introduced fines to social services departments to resolve this issue. Evaluations of this policy reported success in the reduction of delays. However, this policy was an amalgam of several innovations, not just the introduction of fines. This simultaneity makes attribution of impact of fines a difficult task because of the potential impact of those other ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Amalgam published 11 January 2010:

The longevity of different restorations in primary teeth.   Int J Paediatr Dent, 20(1): 1-7.

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