Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand
Objectives. The main objective of this study was to assess the mercury exposure levels in dental health workers that work in dental clinics. The study evaluated the airborne and urinary mercury levels, the type of work done in the clinic, and the effect of mercury exposure on health of dental health...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Toxicology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/401012 |
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| author | Somsiri Decharat Piriyaluk Phethuayluk Supandee Maneelok Phayong Thepaksorn |
| author_facet | Somsiri Decharat Piriyaluk Phethuayluk Supandee Maneelok Phayong Thepaksorn |
| author_sort | Somsiri Decharat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives. The main objective of this study was to assess the mercury exposure levels in dental health workers that work in dental clinics. The study evaluated the airborne and urinary mercury levels, the type of work done in the clinic, and the effect of mercury exposure on health of dental health workers. Material and Methods. A case-control study was conducted with 124 exposed and 124 matched nonexposed subjects. Personal and area samplings were conducted to quantify mercury concentrations by solid sorbent tube. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results and Discussion. 17.6% (n=32/182) of the air samples were higher than the occupational exposure limit (OEL). A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included dietary consumption (fish or seafood), duration of work (yrs), work position, personal protection equipment used (PPE), and personal hygiene behaviors. Significant correlations were observed between mercury levels in urine and mercury in storage areas (r=0.499, P<0.05) and between mercury levels in urine and airborne mercury in personal samplings (r=0.878, P<0.001). Conclusion. Improvements in working conditions, occupational health training, and PPE use are recommended to reduce mercury exposure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eba59f61aa974e9c8bf16435e253ee8b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1687-8191 1687-8205 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Toxicology |
| spelling | doaj-art-eba59f61aa974e9c8bf16435e253ee8b2025-08-20T02:22:21ZengWileyJournal of Toxicology1687-81911687-82052014-01-01201410.1155/2014/401012401012Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, ThailandSomsiri Decharat0Piriyaluk Phethuayluk1Supandee Maneelok2Phayong Thepaksorn3Department of Industrial Hygiene and Health Science, Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Thaksin University, 222 Moo 2 Papayom District, Phatthalung 93110, ThailandDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Thaksin University, Phatthalung 93110, ThailandDepartment of Industrial Hygiene and Health Science, Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Thaksin University, 222 Moo 2 Papayom District, Phatthalung 93110, ThailandSirindhorn College of Public Health, Trang 92110, ThailandObjectives. The main objective of this study was to assess the mercury exposure levels in dental health workers that work in dental clinics. The study evaluated the airborne and urinary mercury levels, the type of work done in the clinic, and the effect of mercury exposure on health of dental health workers. Material and Methods. A case-control study was conducted with 124 exposed and 124 matched nonexposed subjects. Personal and area samplings were conducted to quantify mercury concentrations by solid sorbent tube. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results and Discussion. 17.6% (n=32/182) of the air samples were higher than the occupational exposure limit (OEL). A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included dietary consumption (fish or seafood), duration of work (yrs), work position, personal protection equipment used (PPE), and personal hygiene behaviors. Significant correlations were observed between mercury levels in urine and mercury in storage areas (r=0.499, P<0.05) and between mercury levels in urine and airborne mercury in personal samplings (r=0.878, P<0.001). Conclusion. Improvements in working conditions, occupational health training, and PPE use are recommended to reduce mercury exposure.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/401012 |
| spellingShingle | Somsiri Decharat Piriyaluk Phethuayluk Supandee Maneelok Phayong Thepaksorn Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand Journal of Toxicology |
| title | Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand |
| title_full | Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand |
| title_fullStr | Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand |
| title_short | Determination of Mercury Exposure among Dental Health Workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand |
| title_sort | determination of mercury exposure among dental health workers in nakhon si thammarat province thailand |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/401012 |
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