RESUMO
The mercury concentrations in the hair of 53 dentists, 49 dental assistants, 35 dental students and 35 non-exposed persons were analyzed by AAS and compared with a group of 22 factory workers producing chloride gas. The average mercury concentrations in the hair of the dentists was found to be twice as high as the amount measured in the non-exposed population, but only one quarter of that established for the factory workers. The dental assistants had 50% more mercury in their hair than the non-exposed group. The mercury concentrations did not correlate with age, sex, or number of amalgam fillings, but rather with the daily/weekly consumption of fish. The mercury concentrations in the hair of dentists and dental personnel found in this study were low, even when compared with international results; toxicologically their importance is negligible.