Mercury in Dental Amalgam

This report begins the process of risk assessment by evaluating the clinical, environmental, and occupa- tional exposures and the toxicity of the alternatives to mercury containing dental amalgam. It uses the four- step human health risk assessment approach used by U.S. federal agencies. Basing itself on the primary literature, this four-step paradigm includes hazard identi cation, exposure assessment, toxicity assessment, and risk characteriza- tion. Material Safety Data Sheets were secured for the various composite, glass ionomer, and compomer formulations along with preparation and application formulations (etchants, primers, activators, coupling agents, adhesives, and bonding agents). Seventy-eight constituents were identi ed, organized, and summarized for the different formulations.