title: [Mercury exposure from dental amalgam. Risk assessment and clinical evaluation].
abstract: Inorganic mercury is absorbed in small amounts from dental amalgam fillings. Exposure can be calculated by measuring the level of mercury in the blood or urine (u-Hg). The average u-Hg in Norwegians is approximately 2-3 micrograms/g creatinine (approximately 1-2 nmol/mmol creatinine). Classic signs of mercury poisoning occur in a fraction of long-term exposed subjects with u-Hg > 100 micrograms/g creatinine (56 nmol/mmol creatinine). Subtle effects (e.g. enzymuria, altered selenium metabolism, and changes in tremor spectra) have been reported in humans at average levels of 20-35 micrograms/g creatinine (approximately 11-20 nmol/mmol creatinine). There is widespread concern about possible adverse effects of mercury from amalgam fillings. Data on exposure-response relationships make it less likely that low-level mercury exposure from amalgam fillings should cause symptoms or physical signs. Studies of the association between symptoms and amalgam fillings have been negative. Patients with symptoms allegedly caused by mercury from amalgam should undergo thorough medical examination. Based on the patient's symptoms and physical signs adequate time should be allowed for careful recording of medical history, physical examination and relevant laboratory tests.
authors.affiliation: Yrkesmedisinska Kliniken, Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset, Göteborg.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barregård
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ellingsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Thomassen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aaseth
mesh_terms: D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury
vernacular_title: Kvikksølveksponering fra amalgam. Risikovurdering og medisinsk utredning.