Neuropsychological effects of low mercury exposure in dental staff in Erzurum, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out measurements of the Hg levels and personal exposure in Turkish dental clinics, and to evaluate possible adverse effects on the CNS in dental personnel.


METHODS
Five dental clinics (1 private, 4 public) in Erzurum, Turkey.


METHODS
43, Hg vapour-exposed dental staff were examined and 43 hospital employees with no known exposure to Hg acted as the control group. Hg concentrations in plasma and urine were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Possible effects on the central nervous system (CNS) were estimated by neuropsychological tests (Weschler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) and Verbal Test of Memory Processes (VTMP)) and two self-administered questionnaires (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)).


RESULTS
The dental staff group had higher whole blood (B-Hg) and urine (U-Hg) Hg levels than the control group. The mean B-Hg value was 2.18 nmol/l and U-Hg was 1.17 nmol/mmol creatinine. U-Hg had an inverse relationship with logical memory (in WMS-R test) and total retention score (in VTMP test), and a positive relationship with increased scores of Anxiety and Psychoticism (in SCL-90-R).


CONCLUSIONS
These results may represent long-term consequences of low Hg exposure. In dentistry, to decrease toxic effects, proper Hg hygiene should be practiced by all dental health care workers.
Atatürk Universitesi, Tip Fakültesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey. nmda21@hotmail.com
Nazan
N
Aydin
Serpil
S
Karaoglanoglu
Arzu
A
Yigit
Mevlüt Sait
MS
Keles
Ismet
I
Kirpinar
Nilgün
N
Seven
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003797:Dental Staff; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014421:Turkey
D008628:Mercury