Pure mercury may be eaten without negative consequences. Many compounds are toxic. Dental workers are probably exposed to aerosols containing fragments of the amalgam from the drilling of existing fillings, but should not get any exposure from handling the stuff during preparation of fillings. But, judging by most dentists' position on Fluorides, something is seriously affecting their mental processes.
James-Osbourne: Holmes -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2001 6:30 AM To: [email protected] Subject: CS>Exposure of Dentists and Technicians to Mercury List: I found the following comment on Quackqatch: "I was in the dentists office last week getting my kids teeth their bi-annual checkover when this very subject came up. The dentist made a simple observation that I wish to share with you which may help in understanding the issue. 'If mercury toxicity was a problem then dentists and dental nurses would have major health problems. They simply could not do the job they do if the risks were as high as claimed, since they [dentists and nurses] are exposed to the stuff several times a day.'" Question: Are technicians and dentists exposed to pure mercury, or is what they mix to make the mercury amalgam a stabilized form of mercury the minimizes health risks? Roger
