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Neurobehavioral effects from exposure to dental amalgam Hg o : new distinctions between recent exposure and Hg body burden
Author(s) -
Echeverria Diana,
Aposhian H. Vasken,
Woods James S.,
Heyer Nicholas J.,
Aposhian Mary M.,
Bittner Alvah C. JR.,
Mahurin Roderick K.,
Cianciola Margaret
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.12.11.971
Subject(s) - mercury (programming language) , amalgam (chemistry) , mood , urinary system , toxicity , population , medicine , physiology , dentistry , environmental health , toxicology , chemistry , psychiatry , electrode , computer science , biology , programming language
Potential toxicity from exposure to mercury vapor (Hg o ) from dental amalgam fillings is the subject of current public health debate in many countries. We evaluated potential central nervous system (CNS) toxicity associated with handling Hg‐con‐ taining amalgam materials among dental personnel with very low levels of Hg o exposure (i.e., urinary Hg <4 μg/l), applying a neurobehavioral test battery to evaluate CNS functions in relation to both recent exposure and Hg body burden. New distinctions between subtle preclinical effects on symptoms, mood, motor function, and cognition were found associated with Hg body burden as compared with those associated with recent exposure. The pattern of results, comparable to findings previously reported among subjects with urinary Hg >50 μg/l, presents convincing new evidence of adverse behavioral effects associated with low Hg o exposures within the range of that received by the general population.—Echeverria, D., Aposhian, H. V., Woods, J. S., Heyer, N. J., Aposhian, M. M., Bittner, A. C., Jr. Mahurin, R. K. Neurobehavioral effects from exposure to dental amalgam Hg o : new distinctions between recent exposure and Hg body burden. FASEB J. 12, 971–980 (1998)