| Document ID (ISN) | 110765 |
| CIS number |
10-0379 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0355-3140 - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health |
| Year |
2010 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Svendsen K., Syversen T., Melø I., Hilt B. |
| Title |
Historical exposure to mercury among Norwegian dental personnel |
| Bibliographic information |
May 2010, Vol.36, No.3, p.231-241. Illus. 32 ref. |
| Abstract |
Due to public concern in Scandinavian countries about the health situation of dental nurses, the Norwegian Ministry of Labor and Social Inclusion initiated a project to look at previous exposure to metallic mercury and its possible effects on dental personnel. The aims of this part of the study were to describe Norwegian dental personnel's exposure to mercury during the last 50 years, develop a model for scoring that reflects the cumulative exposure on an individual basis and relate the calculated score to earlier measured levels of mercury in urine. Questionnaires were mailed to lists of previous and current dental employees in both the private and public sector, concerning their working conditions. Responses were received from 655 dental nurses and 452 dentists. Urine mercury levels measured between 1970 and 1990 were also obtained for 143 of the dental nurses and 130 of the dentists. The results revealed a widespread exposure to mercury in both the individual exposure score and the measured mercury values in urine. For most respondents, however, the level of exposure to mercury seemed to be low. The use of copper amalgam, which is heated before it is applied, is of particular concern as a significant source of mercury exposure in dental personnel. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
Norway; mercury; exposure evaluation; dental assistants; dental services |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
determination in urine; questionnaire survey; long-term exposure |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Exposure evaluation
Mercury and compounds
|
