ABSTRACT
In this study, detailed measurements of mercury vapor exposure in dental profession were carried out. The study was conducted on 33 dentists and dental nurses with a control group of 30 physicians and nurses work in the same hospital. The results showed that Hg-vapor concentration at any moment was dependant on the level of work-related activities. The urinary Hg concentration in the exposed group was 7.4 mug/L compared with 2.0 mug/L in the control group. There was a positive correlation between urinary Hg concentrations and Hg levels in air among the exposed group. By regression analysis, hours of practice/week and number of amalgam restoration/week were the most predicators of urinary Hg levels in dentistry. The results confirmed that a good ventilation system, the design of dental laboratories and the improvement of dental office hygiene were essential to keep the amount of inhaled or absorbed Hg-vapor below the threshold limits