title: New science challenges old notion that mercury dental amalgam is safe.
abstract: Mercury dental amalgam has a long history of ostensibly safe use despite its continuous release of mercury vapor. Two key studies known as the Children's Amalgam Trials are widely cited as evidence of safety. However, four recent reanalyses of one of these trials now suggest harm, particularly to boys with common genetic variants. These and other studies suggest that susceptibility to mercury toxicity differs among individuals based on multiple genes, not all of which have been identified. These studies further suggest that the levels of exposure to mercury vapor from dental amalgams may be unsafe for certain subpopulations. Moreover, a simple comparison of typical exposures versus regulatory safety standards suggests that many people receive unsafe exposures. Chronic mercury toxicity is especially insidious because symptoms are variable and nonspecific, diagnostic tests are often misunderstood, and treatments are speculative at best. Throughout the world, efforts are underway to phase down or eliminate the use of mercury dental amalgam.
authors.affiliation: International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, ChampionsGate, FL, 33896, USA, khomme@sbcglobal.net.
authors.forename: Kristin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Homme
authors.forename: Janet K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Boyd E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Geier
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Geier
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D061214:Patient Safety
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury