Occupational health department, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Ind Health. 2011;49(2):249-54. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.ms1214. Epub 2010 Dec 16.
The present study examined the effects of occupational exposure of a group of dentists to low levels of mercury. The study population consisted of 106 dentists and 94 general practitioners (referent group), from private and public clinics in Shiraz city. Subjects were requested to complete a questionnaire on demographic variables, suspicious symptoms of intoxication and work practices. Additionally, atmospheric and urinary concentrations of mercury were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy technique. The data were analysed by χ(2) test, independent sample t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis, where applicable. Both groups were similar as far as most demographic and socioeconomic variables, but age and number of personal amalgam fillings, were concerned. Median of atmospheric concentration of mercury was found to be 3.35 μg/m(3). Likewise, the urinary concentration of mercury in dentists was estimated to be 3.16 μg/g creatinine. This value was significantly higher than that of the referent group. Similarly, analysis of the data revealed that neuropsychological, muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular and dermal symptoms were more prevalent in dentists. Our findings indicate that occupational exposure of dentists to mercury, even at low levels, is associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of symptoms of intoxication.
本研究旨在探讨一组牙医职业性暴露于低水平汞的影响。研究人群包括来自设拉子市私人和公共诊所的 106 名牙医和 94 名全科医生（对照组）。要求研究对象填写一份关于人口统计学变量、疑似中毒症状和工作实践的问卷。此外，还通过原子吸收光谱技术测量大气和尿汞浓度。数据通过 χ(2)检验、独立样本 t 检验和多变量逻辑回归分析（如适用）进行分析。两组在大多数人口统计学和社会经济变量方面相似，但在年龄和个人汞合金填充物数量方面存在差异。发现大气中汞的中位数浓度为 3.35μg/m(3)。同样，牙医的尿汞浓度估计为 3.16μg/g 肌酐。这一数值明显高于对照组。同样，数据分析表明，神经心理学、肌肉、呼吸、心血管和皮肤症状在牙医中更为普遍。我们的研究结果表明，牙医职业性暴露于汞，即使在低水平下，也与中毒症状的发生率显著增加有关。
