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Evidence of Harm
Information in this film can be referenced in peer reviewed scientific journals.
I would encourage you to read the following document as it lists over 700 references, many from peer reviewed scientific journals to back up the claims in my film.
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) Position Statement against Dental Mercury Amalgam Fillings for Medical and Dental Practitioners, Dental Students, and Patients.
http://iaomt.org/wp-content/uploads/IAOMT-2013-Position-Statement.pdf
Some of the most pertinent information (with references to the document mentioned above):
All dental amalgam restorations contain approximately 50% mercury,(34) and it is scientifically proven that these fillings emit mercury vapors.
In the lawsuit Barnes V Kerr, a dentist who was experiencing mercury toxicity sued Kerr, the manufacturer of amalgam for his health problems. The manufacturer argued they warned the dentist about hazards of mercury in the MSDS and that those warnings also pertained to the final mixed dental amalgam as well. You can watch a video about that lawsuit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLH63swEBlg
Current scientific evidence demonstrates that dental mercury amalgam exposes dental professionals, dental staff, and dental patients to mercury vapor, mercury-containing particulate, and other forms of mercury contamination.
The removal of a mercury filling exposes the dentist (dental student and patient) to the highest levels of mercury in the form of mercury contaminated particulate matter. Here is a video with Mark Richardson PhD discussing his study on this aspect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orvvQJqmaFQ
Mercury is also known to be released during the placement, replacement, and removal of dental mercury amalgam fillings.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE:
Dentists, dental professionals, dental staff, and dental students are occupationally and chronically exposed to mercury released from dental mercury amalgam, and researchers and clinicians have raised concerns about the safety of dental personnel who work with dental mercury amalgam.
This includes mercury released during hygiene, cleaning, and polishing procedures.
This includes mercury released during removal of old mercury amalgam fillings and replacement with new ones.
Scientific data indicates that female dental personnel are severely impacted by occupational exposure to mercury.
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Dental students are taught and required to place and remove mercury dental fillings.
Dental students are not told about mercury exposures while working with the product.
Dental students are not provided protection from those exposures.
Dental students are not employees and are not under OSHA jurisdiction.
Lastly... measuring the dental operatory for mercury vapor is NOT where the predominant source of mercury exposure is happening. The exposure to mercury is happening in the BREATHING ZONE of the dentist (dental student and patient) during the placement, polishing and removal of mercury fillings.
Please call or email with any further questions you might have.
Learning Areas:
Ethics, professional and legal requirementsOccupational health and safety
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Identify the type of exposure by which elemental mercury is toxic to humans.
Describe three properties of mercury vapor.
Define the word volatilize.
Identify the level of mercury vapor (measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3)) that requires relocation of inhabitants from buildings.
Identify what increases the release of mercury vapor from elemental mercury.
Compare the mercury vapor level measured in the film during the removal of a mercury fillings to occupational safety levels mentioned in the film.
Name two occupational safety concepts that employees have a right to.
Keyword(s): Occupational health and safety, Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: For the last five years I have been a documentary researcher and filmmaker on all aspects of elemental mercury and inorganic mercury.
I have interviewed Individuals from government agencies, Members of congress, published scientists, dental professionals, health care professionals and patients.
Additionally, I was invited to present information on the occupational exposure of mercury to dentists and their staff to the Department of State in the run up to the International Minamata Mercury Convention Treaty.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.