Dental amalgam--the possible contribution to mercury burden in Greenland Inuit

Abstract

The possible contribution to the total mercury burden by dental amalgam among Greenland Eskimos has been studied in Nanortalik Health District. A total of 40 individuals have been tested, and no significant differences in whole blood mercury have been found between individuals with and without experience of dental amalgam. Higher values than previously reported for South-West Greenland have been found, mercury (Hg) concentrations reaching a median of 53 microgram Hg/l in males and 42.5 microgram Hg/l in females. A tendency towards covariation with the relative amount of local food items in the diet did not reach significance at a 5% level.