How to avoid Mercury Toxicity - OSHA Recomendations
DENTAL MERCURY HYGIENE
Recommendations from the World Dental Federation include the following:
1. All personnel involved in the handling of mercury should be alerted, especially during training, to the potential hazard of mercury vapor and the need to observe good mercury hygiene practice.
2. The work place should be well ventilated, with fresh air exchange and outside exhaust. Air filters such as those in air-conditioning systems may act as mercury reservoirs and should be replaced periodically.
3. The surgery atmosphere should be checked periodically for mercury vapor.
4. Mercury should be stored in unbreakable, tightly sealed containers away from any source of heat.
5. Use single use capsules rather than reusable ones or any other methods of dispensing the alloy and mercury.
6. Avoid the need to remove excess mercury before or during packing by selecting an appropriate alloy: mercury ratio.
7. Use an amalgamator with a completely closed activator arm.
8. Mercury and unset amalgam should not be touched by the bare hands.
9. All amalgam scrap and free mercury should be salvaged and stored in a tightly closed container under used radiographic fixer solution.
10. Spilled mercury should be cleaned up immediately and placed in the scrap jar.
11. Do not use ultrasonic amalgam condensers.
12. Skin accidentally contaminated by mercury should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
13. If a mercury hygiene problem is suspected, personnel should undergo urinalysis to detect mercury levels.
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