Study bares high mercury vapor in dental schools

DAVAO CITY- A study released by environment justice group BAN TOXICS bared high contents of mercury vapors in dental schools.

According to  Myline Macabuhay, Chemicals Management Assistant of BAN TOXICS the study was conducted last year in five dentals schools across the country. One of these schools is located in Davao Region.

Amalgam is a commonly used as dental fillings. It is an alloy of mercury and is the past considered as a main source of dental fillings due to its low cost, durability and easy application.

Using a R195 Plus Mercury Vapor Analyzer the study determined that most of the schools exceeded  acceptable mercury levels set by the United State’s Department of Health’s ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry).

In the test conducted at the dental school located in Davao Region high mercury vapor levels were measured at the cuspidor and trays, which had 1,069 nanograms per cubic meter and 1,018 ng/m3 respectively.

ASTDR set acceptable levels for mercury vapor is pegged at 1,000 ng/m3. If there is a breach in the mark, the source is immediately isolated. If a location is measured to breach 10,000 ng/cu. meters, evacuation is immediately recommended.

Macabuhay said that wasted bins, sinks and drainage areas have higher levels of mercury vapor. The old drainage tube in the region-XI located dental school registered 40,813 ng/cubic meters.

She said that dental schools have taken immediate interventions such as providing exhaust fans, opening windows and providing exit points.  However these are only location specific interventions.

Macabuhay said that the country is a signatory of the Minamata Convention last year, which regulates the use of mercury among signatory countries.  As part of the treaty the country has pledged to have mercury-free healthcare facilities by 2016.

She said dental students commonly used amalgams for their studies and required cases for dental licensure examinations thus the high amount of mercury vapor found in their schools.

Their group is demanding for the immediate banning of amalgams in the dental profession and for a change in the dental curriculum before the deadline in 2016, citing the study which validates that dentists, dental students, patients and persons working in supply rooms are exposed to dangerous levels of mercury vapors. (PIA/RG Alama)