title: Mercury in saliva and the risk of exceeding limits for sewage in relation to exposure to amalgam fillings.
abstract: The concentration of total mercury in stimulated saliva was studied in humans with dental amalgam fillings and in 2 nonamalgam groups. The probability of exceeding the limits of mercury permitted in wastewater increased proportionally as the number of amalgam-filled surfaces increased. The mercury limit for sewage is 0.05 mg/l (= 250 nmol/l) effluent, according to the Council of European Communities directive 84/156/EEC. In neither of the nonamalgam groups was this limit exceeded, but 20.5% in the amalgam group exceeded the limit (p < .001). The risk of exceeding the limit increased 2-fold for every 10 additional amalgam-filled surfaces (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.3, 3.3). These results demonstrate that humans, especially in populated areas, can be a significant source of mercury pollutants. As a consequence of mercury release, bacteria may acquire mercury resistance, as well as resistance to other antimicrobial agents, thus resulting in failure of antibiotic treatment.
authors.affiliation: National Public Health Institute, Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leistevuo
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leistevuo
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Helenius
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pyy
authors.forename: Pentti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huovinen
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tenovuo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000737:chemistry*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012722:Sewage; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury