Protocol for Amalgam-Mercury-Silver Filling Removal ByInternational Academy of Oral Medicine and ToxicologySTAFF PROTECTION
OSHA4 5 requires that employees be given written informed consent before the use of any toxic chemicals of which mercury is one. Elemental mercury vapor is one of the most toxic forms of mercury and should not breathed. Women of child bearing age should be exposed to no more than 10% of the OSHA MAC6. Women who are pregnant should be exposed to no mercury.7 If you use mercury or remove mercury in any form the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended that your employees be medically monitored annually.
ANY MERCURY EXPOSURE REQUIRES THAT THE EMPLOYEE WEAR AN APPROVED MERCURY FILTER MASK.An approved mask is appropriate for wearing during all dental procedures which will expose you or your staff to mercury.8 The manner in which dentists operate their equipment dramatically affects the amount of mercury released. Never drill on mercury high dry. It is hazardous to you, your staff, and your patient. Levels as high as 4000 m g/M3 have been measured 18" from the drill when used high dry. Levels over 1000 m g/M3 are measurable upon opening an amalgam mixing capsule.
One out of 7 California dental offices tested over the OSHA TWA of 50 m g/M 3 . 100% of the vacuum cleaner exhaust tested over 100 m g/M 3 . Any office where mercury is used should be tested regularly and staff should be monitored for exposure. Testing services are available and a mercury sensor badge is available for personnel monitoring. They should test inside storage areas and along baseboards where mercury might have dropped. Office spills can go undetected for years and are extremely hazardous.
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