The dissemination of false data through inadequate citation.
OBJECTIVE
That occupational exposure to mercury causes reproductive failure in dental personnel has been propagated by repeated reference to a single epidemiological study in Poland, published in 1987. The present paper scrutinizes the results of this study, and monitors its subsequent citation in the literature.


METHODS
Articles referring to the study were located in the Science Citation Index. From references in these papers and through other references, further articles were found. These papers were reviewed, and their content organized in relation to the way in which the Polish study was cited.


RESULTS
Most authors referred to the findings in the Polish study without critical evaluation of the data presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Citation of irrelevant or misleading scientific data in the literature raises unfounded concerns in nonscientific circles and may lead to unwarranted regulations. It is therefore essential that editors and reviewers of scientific articles also scrutinize the literature quoted.
Larsson
K S
KS
Zeppelinstrasse, Emden, Germany.
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D015706:Bibliometrics; D018865:Dental Research / Q000592:standards*; D003813:Dentistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology
D008628:Mercury