5 Safe Levels of Mercury in the Human Body Similarly, people with abnormal kidney function or genetic polymorphisms related to mercury metabolism (GSTM1, GSTT1) may be less able to clear mercury from their bodies, putting them at higher risk of exceeding safe levels. 4 During acute exposure it is critical to assess for respiratory or cardiovascular complications. Chronic exposure to mercury may cause cardiovascular, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. Mercury toxicity in humans is dose-dependent. For example, fish absorb methylmercury from water as they swim, and this mercury is tightly bound to their tissues. Even though all forms of mercury can be hazardous, some species tolerate mercury exposure better than others. Mercury poisoning has been well recognized since the 17 th century with the “Mad Hatter Syndrome” epidemic in European hat makers ( CDC NIOSH ). The table below summarizes the types of mercury and where they are commonly found. Mercury exists in different forms, and some are safer than others. While most people are exposed to small levels of mercury (0.0003 mg/m 3) in the environment, industrial workers and populations with a diet high in fish may experience greater levels of mercury exposure. Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that naturally occurs in the environment and is commonly found in household products. If you want to know more, we’ve broken down a step-by-step explanation of how risky mercury dental amalgams (and their removal) are during lactation. Overall, breastfeeding after dental amalgam restoration is not likely to cause any issues when proper dental procedures are used. Most of the tiny amounts of mercury in breastmilk would be eliminated in the baby’s feces, just as it is when mom eats high-mercury fish. Mom’s mercury levels will go up temporarily. Placing new mercury fillings will result in lower mercury exposure to a breastfed infant than if a mercury filling is removed, but the infant’s risk is still low.ĭuring amalgam restoration, mercury vapor is released as it is drilled out, but the toxic vapors are mostly captured by specialized dental equipment to protect you and the dental team. Low levels of mercury are released over time, but mothers with new or old mercury fillings can safely breastfeed. If mercury fillings are the only option, or if they are already in place, it is essential to understand that mercury toxicity is highly dose-dependent. These newer advancements should be used in place of mercury fillings when available. There have been many advances in the dental industry that minimize mercury exposure, including porcelain crowns, mercury-free filling materials, such as composite resins (“white fillings”), and using specialized equipment during extraction. The problem is that the mercury used in dental fillings releases vapors, resulting in human exposure to this toxic substance. Elemental mercury has been used as an ingredient in dental amalgams (the material used to fill cavities) for centuries, along with silver, copper, and tin. All forms of mercury and its metabolites are toxic, but mercury has been historically useful via its role in fluorescent lamps, thermometers, dental amalgams, vaccines, cosmetics, and explosives. There are different forms of mercury, and each form is absorbed into the body differently. Mercury is all around us in the environment and we all have small amounts of mercury in our bodies.
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