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KMID : 1156220180440010024
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Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
2018 Volume.44 No. 1 p.24 ~ p.30
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The Effects on Water Quality of Mercury Released from Dental Amalgam
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Ko Jae-Wan
Sakong Joon
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Abstract
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Objectives: Based on the amount of amalgam, the duration of exposure, and the water pH, this study aims to investigate the change patterns in the mercury concentrations in water after amalgams have been introduced into sewage water. It is expected that the study results will be useful in improving the system for regulating the amount of mercury that is introduced into the environment.
Methods: During the study, a glass test-tube with a cap was washed and disinfected using the glass laboratory device washing method. Then, 1, 2, 3, and 4 tabs were placedinto a 10 mL pH 4 solution and 10 mL pH 7 distilled water. Each specimen was prepared in duplicate. The mean of the two mercury concentrations was used as the representative value, and the mercury concentration was measured using a mercury measurement device (DMA-80, Milestone, Italy) a total of eight times at one-week intervals.
Results: The results show that the lower wasthe pH, the higher wasthe amount of amalgam. Alsothe longer wasthe duration, the more significant was the increase of mercury concentration in the water.
Conclusions: Dental clinics are collected separately from dental clinics that used them. Given this, dental clinics in Korea must have the necessary facilities to separately collect mercury at their level. In addition, proper disposal systems and social attention to the proper management of dental wastes are required to prevent environmental pollution frommercury.
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KEYWORD
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Dental amalgam, mercury, water quality, public health
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