Elander Lindberg NE , Lindgren E & Larsson G. Psychologic factors in the etiology of amalgam illness. Acta Odont Scand 52:219-228 (1994)

Abstract:"Eleven patients with amalgam illness aged 33-50 years were investigated by psychodynamic methods. Six of them, all women, were dental nurses and hygienists exposed to amalgam/ mercury both from their own dental fillings and occupationally. Four men and one woman were exposed only to amalgam/mercury from their own fillings. Assays of mercury in urine samples and in the ambient air during work routines involving the heaviest exposure indicated that the exposure was far below the levels at which even subclinical symptoms could be indicated by psychometric tests. The psychologic investigation indicated that the symptoms of amalgam illness were psychosomatic. All patients had experienced important psychic traumata in close connection with the first appearence of symptoms. It can be concluded from the psychodynamic dialogues that they had not been able to mourn for a loss in an adequate manner and that the body had been forced to symbolize the great pain in their souls."

Elihu DR, Nechama P & Menachem L. Mercury exposure and effects at a thermometer factory. Scand J Work Environ Health 8(suppl 1):161-166 (1982)

AbSTRACT: "Mercury levels in air, urine, blood, and hair were studied for workers (14 women, 2 men, ages 18-44 a) employed in a small thermometer factory (metallic mercury vapor exposures) with generally inadequate engenering and hygienic arrangements. At exposure levels of 50-99 ug/m3 (5 workers), 100-149 ug (3 workers) and 150-200 ug/m3 (7 workers), respectively, the mean mercury levels were 299, 499 and 628 nmol/l in urine; 105, 122, 143 nmol/l in blood, and 4.2, 8.5 and 12.2 umol/kg in hair (1 cm from base). Headache, irritability, hair loss, and wrist and ankle pain were the most frequenrtly occurring symptoms. The correlation coefficent between the measured mercury levels in air for individual workers and mercury in urine, blood, and hair (1 cm from base) were r = 0.92, r = 0.79, r = 0.42 respectively. Mercury determinations for segmental hair cuts indicated peaks and drops in absorption/deposition consistent with data on the vacations of the individual workers. The data on exposure-absorption-deposition and symptoms present at urinary mercury levels of 150-770 nmol/l may be helpful when thresholds of exposure/absorption are reconsidered."

Ellingsen DG, Holland RI, Thomassen Y, Landro-Olstad M , Frech W & Kjuus H. Mercury and selenium in workers previously exposed to mercury vapour at a chloralkali plant. Br J Ind Med 50(8):745-752 (1993)

Abstract: "The concentrations of total mercury (B-Hg), inorganic mercury (B-IHg), and methyl mercury (B-MeHg) in whole blood, urinary mercury (U-Hg), and selenium in urine (U-Se) and whole blood (B-Se) were determined in 74 chloralkali workers previously exposed to Hg vapour, and compared with 51 age matched referents. Dental amalgam state, fish consumption, and exposure related indices were studied with regard to the determined elements. A significant relation between the surface of dental amalgam and U-Hg (Pearson's r = 0.63, p < 0.001) was found among the referents. Mean U-Se was significantly lower (p < 0.001) among the subjects previously exposed to Hg (34.1 nmol/mmol creatinine) compared with that for the referents (42.6 nmol/mmol creatinine). A significant negative relation between the cumulative Hg dose and U-Se was also found. The mechanisms and the clinical significance of these findings are not clear. No relation between current U-Hg and previous occupational exposure to Hg was found among subjects in whom exposure had ceased more than one year before the study."

Englund GS, Dahlqvist R, Lindelof B, Soderman E, Jonzon B, Vesterberg O & Larsson KS. DMSA Administration to Patients with Alleged Mercury Poisoning from Dental Amalgams - A Placebo-Controlled Study. J Dent Res 73(3):620-628

(1994)

Abstract: "The present investigation was performed to determine the effect of 14-day oral administration of meso-2.3- dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) on the urinary mercury excretion and the potential reduction of blood and plasma mercury concentrations, and also to relate these effects to possible decrease of symptoms, allegedly associated with amalgam fillings. Twenty subjects, relating their symptoms to mercury from amalgam fillings, received 20 mg/kg DMSA or placebo for 14 days. Their symptoms and mood states were recorded during the study and at a check-up 3 months later. Interpretation was based on intra-individual differences. DMSA-treatment resulted in an average increase in urinary mercury excretion by 65% and a decrease in blood mercury levels of 0.04 mu g/L/day. At the check-up after 3 months, urinary mercury excretion had returned to the pre-treatment level. No treatment effect of DMSA was apparent on subjective symptoms and mood state. One statistically significant treatment effect was noted-a decrease in fatigue-inertia in the DMSA-group-but there was no demonstrable correlation with increased urinary excretion or decreased blood concentration of mercury. Three subjects showed hypersensitive reactions, probably DMSA-specific, at the end of the treatment period. This placebo-controlled study provides no scientific support for diagnostic or therapeutic administration of DMSA for symptoms allegedly associated with chronic mercury exposition from dental amalgam fillings."

Fagan DG, Pritchard JS, Clarkson TW & Greenwood MR. Organ mercury levels in infants with omphaloceles treated with organic mercurial antiseptic. Arch Dis Child 52(12):962-964 (1977)

Abstract: "Samples of fresh and fixed tissues from infants with exomphalos treated by thiomersal application were analysed for mercury content. The results showed that thiomersal can induce blood and organ levels of organic mercury which are well in excess of the minimum toxic level in adults and fetuses. The analysis of fresh and fixed tissues must be carefully controlled against normal tissues in order to interpret mercury levels accurately."

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