title: Neurophysiological and neuropsychological function in mercury-exposed dentists.
abstract: In a study of the relation between cumulative exposure to mercury and chronic health impairment 298 dentists had their mercury levels measured by an X-ray fluorescence technique. Electrodiagnostic and neuropsychological findings in the dentists with more than 20 micrograms/g tissue mercury levels were compared with those of a control group consisting of dentists with no detectable mercury levels. 30% of the 23 high mercury dentists had polyneuropathies. No polyneuropathies were detected in the control group. The high mercury group had mild visuographic dysfunction; they also had more symptom-distress than did the control group. These findings suggest that the use of mercury as a restorative material is a health risk for dentists.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003815:Dentists; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012306:Risk; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D008628:Mercury