Absorption and Excretion of Mercury in Man

Abstract

To evaluate the occupational hazard of the use of mercury by dentists, determinations were made of (1) the total mercury and vapor concentrations In a group of urban dental offices; and (2) the urinary excretion of mercury by the dentists. In a small but significant proportion (14%) of these offices, mercury concentrations were found In excess off the threshold limit value, Implying a lack of care in handling mercury., The average total mercury concentration was more than twice the average vapor concentration, clearly inferring that mercury particulates cannot be ignored in assessing the dental work environment. Absorption of mercury was evidenced by higher than “normal” urinary mercury levels, which correlated well with both the total ambient air concentrations and estimated exposure times.