Nexus - 0210 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

tremor, and occasionally, severe amnesia to name only a few. Among the most frequently quoted research studies on mer- cury poisoning from dental amalgam, is the work of Frykholm of Sweden who substituted radioactive mercury in place of the standard mercury in amalgam, with the aim of testing the patient's urine for radioactive traces of the metal. Frykholm's test procedure established that the levels of radioactive mer- cury in the patient's urine was negligible and presumably, that the use of mercury in dental amalgam was thus safe.” However, more recent studies have shown that the average concentration of mercury in the blood of persons with amal- gam restorations were higher than those of controls with a sig- nificant correlation between mercury levels and the areas of exposed amalgam in the oral cavity.“ Urinary studies add further evidence, with S. Langworth and co-workers reporting: disclosed that her symptoms had begun 6 months ear- lier, after the placing of several amalgam restorations. A mercury evaluation and biochemical tests were done. The amalgam restorations were removed and within days all symptoms cleared. The patient has been reported to have returned to school and is now leading a normal, productive life.” In another case the allergy was manifested as “burning mouth". The symptoms which included a metallic taste had persisted for 8 months following an amalgam placement. When the amalgam was replaced the symptoms resolved in two weeks.” two weeks.” The Committee of The British Dental Society for Clinics! Nutrition, after reviewing the literature concluded: "... a small but unknown percentage of the popula- tion are hypersensitive to low level chronic exposure to mercury released from amalgam fillings - research estimates vary between 1% and 3% of the population with amalgam fillings - and possibly to the electric current generated by some fillings. With patients who suffer from a non- attributable medical con- dition it would seem pru- dent to consider mercury hypersensitivity as part of the differential diagno- a" illing process considerable cury vapour ‘amalgam 2 expelled in "The significant relationship between the urinary excretion of mercury and the number of amalgam sur- faces supports previous findings ... and indicates that some of the mercury released from dental amalgam is sub- sequently absorbed." Uo dhantner th sume OF tne mercury reledseu from dental amalgam is sub- sequently absorbed.‘ possibly to the electric current generated by some fillings. With patients who suffer from a non- attributable medical con- dition it would seem pru- dent to consider mercury hypersensitivity as part of the differential diagno- a" ",..during the filling process with amalgam, considerable quantities of mercury vapour and mercury amalgam particulates are expelled in the oral cavity and breathing zone." Further evidence has come from autopsy studies. M. Nylander who reported in 1986 of finding particu- larly high levels of mercury in pitu- itary glands obtained from dentists“ has subsequently found a correlation between mercury levels in the brain and kidney cortex, and the number of amalgam fillings. He and co- workers report: The persistence in the belief that these low levels of mercury are harmless has led the medical profession to refer to these amal- showed a statistically signifi- gam reactions as resulting from cant regression between the mercury “hypersensitivity” and number of tooth surfaces containing amalgam and quite distinct from mercury toxicity.. This view is epitomised concentration of mercury in the occipital lobe cortex by the statements of Langan and co-authors in December (mean 10.9 range 2.4 - 28.7 ng Hg/g wet weight) 1987 “Results from 34 individuals ",..during the filling process with amalgam, considerable quantities of mercury vapour and mercury amalgam particulates are expelled in the oral cavity and breathing zone." “Results from 34 individuals showed a statistically signifi- cant regression between the number of tooth surfaces containing amalgam and concentration of mercury in the occipital lobe cortex (mean 10.9 range 2.4 - 28.7 ng Hg/g wet weight) The kidney cortex from 7 amalgam carriers (mean 43.3, range 48-810 ng Hg/g wet weight) showed on average a significantly higher mercury level than those of 5 amalgam-free individuals (mean 49, range 21-105 ng Hg/g wet weight). It is concluded that the cause of the association between amalgam load and accumulation of mercury in tissues is the release of mercury vapour from amal- gam fillings.” "To date, no studies or case reports have appeared in referred scientific journals to support the assertion that dental amalgams are the cause of recognised symp- toms of mercury toxicity. In contrast, mercury allergy manifested as an allergic reaction to amalgam restorations has been document- ed. 162 This view ignores the warnings of Professor Stock who after decades of suffering from what had been diagnosed as arthritis came to realise that he was in actual fact suffering from mer- cury poisoning.” The basis of this reluctance to concede mercury toxicity seems to be based on the observation as reviewers Eley and Cox put it: Perhaps the most powerful evidence indicting mercury poi- soning from amalgams is the reported abatement of symptoms after the removal of the fillings.* Langan and others cite the following report in their review. "A 17-year old girl, withdrawn, totally lacking in energy, even suicidal, sought treatment. When she became ill, she began to hyperventilate, and "started withdrawing from life", and eventually dropped out of school. She was sent to psychiatrists, internists, and cardiologists without results, and became progressive- ly sicker. A detailed case history recorded by a dentist “... that the various reported symptoms do not fit any one pattern of mercury toxicity.'* This same mentality was responsible for the delay in pin- pointing the cause of the Minamata tragedy. As Itri and Itri point out, although over 2000ppm mercury was found in sedi- ments in the bay: NEXUS#17 OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1992