Exposure to mercury and silver during removal of amalgam restorations

Abstract

The content of particulate matter and Hg vapor in dentist breathing air during removal of amalgam restorations was assessed. Hg and Ag were quantitatively assayed by nuclear chemical analysis, and the Hg vapor concentration was measured with a sniffer. When the water spray was not used, the short time threshold limit values for exposure to Hg and Ag were exceeded about 10 times. With water spray the Hg content was reduced to a level considerably lower than the threshold limit value, whereas the Ag concentration slightly exceeded the corresponding limit.