Question:
Question #5: Is it possible that these very small quantities of mercury
vapor could cause harm?
Answer:
Answer: Yes, it is possible. That is why there has been much study of
amalgam over the 150 years that it has been used as a restorative material.
Every reliable study that has ever been done has shown that amalgam is not
harmful. That is why the American Dental Association (and every other major
medical and public health agency in the USA) has officially stated that
amalgam is safe. I know of no reliable, scientific study that show any
harmful effects to the general population.
http://www.christiandentist.com/silver.htm
Seventy-five subjects aged 20 to 57 with 1 to 15 fillings of silver amalgam
were examined. The level of mercury vapors in the oral cavity was assessedusing
an AGP-01 device and the method developed by the authors. Emission of mercury
vapors in the oral cavity increased with the number of fillings. The
concentration of mercury in the oral cavity depends largely on the number
ofsilver amalgam fillings and less so on these fillings' length of service.Adv
Dent Res 1992 Sep;6:110-3
Related Articles, Books, LinkOut Side-effects: mercury contribution to body
burden from dental amalgam.Reinhardt JW.Department of Operative Dentistry,
University of Iowa College of Dentistry,Iowa City 52242.
The purpose of this paper is to examine and report on studies that relate
mercury levels in human tissues to the presence of dental amalgams, giving
special attention to autopsy studies. Until recently, there have been few
published studies examining the relationship between dental amalgams and tissue
mercury levels. Improved and highly sensitive tissue analysis techniques have
made it possible to measure elements in the concentration range of parts per
billion. The fact that mercury can be absorbed and reach toxic levels in
humantissues makes any and all exposure to that element of scientific interest.
Dental amalgams have long been believed to be of little significance as
contributors to the overall body burden of mercury, because the elemental form
of mercury is rapidly consumed in the setting reaction of the
restoration.Studies showing measurable elemental mercury vapor release from
dental amalgams have raised renewed concern about amalgam safety.
Mercury vapor absorption occurs through the lungs, with about 80% of the
inhaled vapor being absorbed by the lungs and rapidly entering the bloodstream.
Following distribution by blood circulation, mercury can enter and remain in
certain tissues for longer periods of time, since the half-life of excretion is
prolonged. Two of the primary arget organs of concern are the central nervous
system and kidneys.
I'm offended by that remark. I do NOT, "spend time belittling Christians."
My own mother is a Christian. I might get it the mood once in a while to
belittle YOU, but not because you are a Christian, if indeed you are.
You said "they," referring to atheists. I don't know if Nana is an atheist
or not. I suspect that you meant the word "atheist" to be an insult in your
typical childish name-calling fashion. Well, I am proud to be an atheist,
and have a right to my beliefs just as you have a right to yours. But you
have no right to post insulting generalizations about how we atheists spend
our time. You've offended me, and you can't backpedal out of it by claiming
you were only trying to insult one particular atheist.
