Dental Hg

• Helps to protect dentists, dental staff and patients from airborne infections
• Helps to implement infection control measures by controlling airborne bacteria, viruses and drill aerosols

• Removes unpleasant odours
• Filters toxic mercury vapour
• Reduces exposure to disinfectant compounds
• Controls airborne allergens

A Critical Issue in Dental Environments
The air we breathe can have a tremendous impact on our health and comfort. Dentists, staff and patients are being exposed to a wide variety of air pollutants during routine dental work. The use of chemicals and the execution of dental procedures itself leads to significant daily exposure. Even relatively low exposure levels to toxic compounds can, over time, lead to serious health problems. Exposure to airborne microorganisms can also increase the risk of infectious disease transmission in dental offices.

Microbiological Air Contaminants
The air in a dental surgery acts as a carrier of a variety of microbiological particles. The generation of these contaminants within a dental practice occurs mainly during dental procedures. The use of highspeed drills and ultrasonic scaling equipment generates fine aerosols which consist of moisture droplets that contain blood, saliva and filling particles. These droplets are usually between 0.5 and 5 micrometers (μm) in diameter, and are light enough to stay airborne for hours. Bacteria and viruses which are contained in these micro-droplets are easily inhaled and constitute a potential source of infection to the dentist, staff and patients.

Mercury (Hg)
Numerous studies show that dentists and their staff have higher than average levels of inorganic mercury (Hg) in their blood and urine. According to the WHO* there is no evidence that there is a safe level of mercury in the body that does not kill cells and harm body processes. Since mercury is odourless and transforms from solid to gas at room temperature, the dangers of chronic exposure to mercury can easily remain undetected. Mercury vapour is not only released and potentially inhaled when dental amalgam is placed, but also when these fillings are removed.

The dental practice itself can become a secondary source of mercury vapour exposure to dentists and staff. Over the years, mercury may have gotten into floors, cracks of chairs or sinks and may now continuously release mercury vapour to the room.

Disinfectants
Chemical disinfectants are being used in the dental practice to decontaminate hands, instruments and surfaces. Disinfectants that kill germs, viruses, and fungal spores often contain aldehydes (especially formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde) or phenol. Aldehydes are well-known for their sensitising potential and their inhalation toxicity. Exposure to aldehyde at low doses on a continuous basis may lead to chronic toxic effects, the symptoms of which are mostly unspecific (nausea, impairment of the memory, motivation, reactivity or dexterity). Even less toxic alcoholic compounds, such as ethanol, isopropanol, and n-propanol, can cause irritation of the respiratory tracts and the mucous membranes.An unpleasant disinfectant odour is often the only indication that unhealthy air pollutants are present.

Latex Allergens
The use of protective latex gloves can cause allergic reactions due to body contact or inhalation of latex allergens. These allergens adhere to the talcum powder particles of the glove and can thus become airborne.

X-Ray Development Chemicals
For the development of x-ray films several organic chemicals, such as glutaraldehyde, are being used.These chemicals give off gases that can contribute to the contamination of the ambient air in dental environments.