Pleva J. Dental mercury--a public health hazard. Rev Environ Health 10(1):1-27 (1994).

Abstract: "The aim of this review is to point out the health hazards of the uncontrolled global use of implanted mercury-leaking dental amalgam fillings. In spite of the pandemic use of amalgam, most dentists and doctors are still ignorant about the levels of mercury exposure and its health implicationsThis review discusses the following chronically neglected aspects in clinical practice: The use of materials science in calculating the mercury exposure levels, which may exceed the TLVs by an order of magnitude; Microbial dissolution and methylation of mercury from amalgam by oral and intestinal bacteria; Diagnostic problems and effects of chronic mercury exposure with emphasis on intestinal, cardiovascular, mental and neurologic symptoms and disorders; Diagnostic value of faeces--instead of urine examination--as the main indicator of Hg exposure; Lack of control groups unexposed to Hg (amalgam free) for epidemiologic investigations of health problems; Contribution of dental mercury to environmental pollution. In conclusion, a lack of interdisciplinary research and of a critical approach to established clinical routine appears to be the reason for the failure of the dental profession to protect the patient from Hg exposure when saving the tooth."

Putman JJ & Madden RW. Quicksilver and Slow Death. Nathional Geographic 142:502 October 1972

No abstract available, Instead follows here some quotations :"...To the aura of mystery that mercury exercised over the ancients, I visited the mine Pliny called "the most famous for the revenues of the Roman nation." Set in the Sierra Morena, 130 miles southwest of Madrid, it remains the riches of all mercury mines... Its name, and that of the town above it, is Almaden - "mine". Padre Jesus Carrion, the mine chapain for 25 years, met me... Before I left Almaden, Don Jesus invited me to visit the miners hospital. It held few patients: a man hit by a falling rock, another by a timber. In one room the walls were lined with powerful lamps, the floor marked with a circular path. "The miners call this the beach", Don Jesus told me. "Sometimes a man inhales too much mercury vapor in the mine and develops a tremor. If it's a severe, the doctors send him here for treatment. "He strips and walks round and round in the heat, sweating out the mercury. Most respond rapidly and are returned to work. A few don't: they are pensioned."..."

Queen HLS & Queen BA. The IV-C Mercury Tox Program. A guide for the patient. Queen and Company health communications, inc. 1991 ISBN: 0-9620479-2- (Booklet)

NO Abstract AVIABLE. INSTEAD HERE ARE SOME QUOTES FROM THE TEXT: "...Do not take supplements containing calcium ascorbate, as it is contraindicated for people with chronic mercury problems...See your doctor before taking large doses of vitamin C if you have impaired kidney function, a defiency of G-6-PD or ever had a kidney stone... " AND HERE ARE A QUOTE ABOUT ORAL VITAMIN C ADMINISTRATION: "...80% of adults will tolerate 10 to 15 grams of vitamin C without having diarrhea. Those who are seriously ill with chronic mercury toxicity will tolerate a much larger dosage, ranging up to 50 or 100 grams daily... When it's had enough, the intestines will not absorb any more vitamin C. At that point the vitamin C travels further into the lower colon or rectum where it creates a hypertonic situation, thereby producing diarrhea in much the same way as a water enema..."

Redhe O & Pleva J. Recovery from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and from allergy after removal of dental amalgam fillings. Int J Risk & Safety in Med 4:229-236 (1994)

No abstract available. Citation from the text follows: "...Five months after the completion of DA removal (29 August 1984) the patient was called for a week-long investigation at the same University clinic where the diagnosis ALS had been made. She felt now extraordinarily healthy and her health status was also confirmed by the words in her record: "The neurologic status is completely without comment. Hence, the patient does not show any motor neuron disease of type ALS. She has been informed that she is in neurological respect fully healthy." ...At the time of writing (early 1993), 9 years have elapsed since removal of the DA fillings, and the patient continues to enjoy good health... "

Ronnback Lars, Hansson Elisabeth. Chronic encephalophaties induced by mercury or lead: aspects of underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Br J Ind Med 49:233-240 (1992)

Abstract: "Long term exposure to low doses of mercury or lead can induce neurasthenic symptoms with slight cognitive deficits, lability, fatigue, decreased stress tolerance, and decreased simultaneous capacity. After exposure to higher concentrations permanent neuropsychological deficits can be seen. The present paper gives a new idea of possible molecular mechanisms underlying the symptoms. Impairments of astrocyte function are probably important, especially due to their capacity to regulate the ionic and amino acid concentration in the extracellular micromilieu, brain energy metabolism, and cell volume. Recent results have shown that these functions are under monoaminergic control. Aspects of therapy are outlined."

Sallsten G, Thoren J, Barregaard L Schütz A & Skarping G. Long-term Use of Nicotine Chewing Gum and Mercury Exposure from Dental Amalgam Fillings. J Dent Res 75(1):594-598 (1996)

Abstract: "In experimental studies, chewing gum has been shown to increase the release rate of mercury vapor from dental amalgam fillings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of long-term frequent chewing on mercury levels in plasma and urine. Mercury levels in plasma (P-Hg) and urine (U-Hg), and urinary cotinine were examined in 18 subjects who regularly used nicotine chewing gum, and in 19 referents. Age and number of amalgam surfaces were similar in the two groups. Total mercury concentrations in plasma and urine were determined by means of cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Urinary cotinine was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chewers had been using 10 (median) pieces of gum per day for the past 27 (median) months. P-Hg and U-Hg levels were significantly higher in the chewers (27 nmol/L and 6.5 nmol/mmol creatinine) than in the (4.9 nmol/L and 1.2 nmol/mmol creatinine). In both groups, significant correlations were found between P-Hg or U-Hg on the one hand and the number of amalgam surfaces on the other. in the chewers, no correlations were found between P-Hg or U-Hg and chewing time per day or cotinine in urine. Cotinine in urine increased with the number of pieces of chewing gum used. The impact of excessive chewing on mercury levels was considerable" Saxe SR, Snowdow DA, Wekstein MW, Schmitt FA & Wekstein DR. Amalgam and Elderly Mental Function. J Dent Res 74:75 AADR Abstract 510 (1995) Abstract: "Dental amalgam restoration surfaces release mercury (Hg), a neurotox, when mildly abraded such as from chewing. Possible neuropsychological effects of such Hg relese have been alluded to but have not been well assessed. This study investigated whether a relationship exists between number and surface area of occlusal amalgam restorations and cognitive function in older women. Catholic sisters (nuns) (n=122) aged 75-102 years lived in the same residential complex with an on-site dental office were given a selected battery of 8 standarized neuropsychological tests. Number and surface area of occlusal amalgams were determined using bite registrations, an intra-oral video camera and a Kontron image analyzer computer system. Of the 122 sisters, 22 were dentate but had no amalgam (Grp. I) who were compared to 27 edentulous (Grp.II), 43 with 1 to 99 sq. mm of occlusal amalgam surface (Grp III) and 30 with 100 or greater sq. mm (Grp. IV). Age and education-adjusted differences in Word Recall outcome scores showed that compared to Grp. I, Grp. II was 1.3 (95% CI -0.3,2.9) p=0.12; Grp. III was 0.6 (Cl -1.0,2.2) p=0.43; Grp. IV was 1.1 (Cl -0.6,2.9) p=0.20. Remaining tests also showed no adverse effects in grps. II, III and IV. The older women studied showed no difference in mental function testing regardsless of the presence and extent of occlusal surface amalgam."

Also make sure to read these books: Poison in Your Teeth: Mercury Amalgam (Silver) Fillings...Hazardous to Your Health! and Mercury Detoxification by Tom McGuire