Abstract
Dear Editor,
With great interest, we read the article by Colvin et al. titled “Methylmercury Exposure in Women of Childbearing Age and Children” published in Workplace Health and Safety (DOI: 10.1177/2165079916664102). In this article, the authors reviewed the causes and consequences of methylmercury exposure in women of childbearing age and children. Although it is a well-structured article and a significant contribution to this field, it has some shortcomings.
General populations are primarily exposed to mercury through their diet (particularly seafood) and methylmercury from dental amalgam (Clarkson, Vyas, & Ballatori, 2007). It is worth noting that in addition to the consumption of seafood, mercury released from dental amalgam fillings should be considered in these studies. It has been shown that the level of methylmercury in the saliva of individuals with dental amalgam fillings is 3 times higher than in those individuals without amalgam fillings (Leistevuo et al., 2001). Moreover, it is reported that methylmercury derived from dental amalgam fillings may be up to 20 times more toxic than the form of methylmercury found in fish (Mutter, 2011).
Over the past several years, we have also shown that when dental amalgam fillings are exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other sources (e.g., mobile phones), the level of mercury released from dental amalgam restorations can be significantly higher (S. Mortazavi et al., 2008; S. Mortazavi et al., 2014). Microleakage studies have further confirmed the findings from our studies on EMF-induced accelerated mercury release (Shahidi et al., 2009; Yilmaz and Misirlioglu 2013). Furthermore, Kursun, Öztas, Atas, and Tastekin (2014) have also demonstrated that exposure to x-rays (an energetic part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum) can also increase mercury release from amalgam fillings. These findings have recently been reviewed by G. Mortazavi and Mortazavi (2015). Based on the substantial evidence provided above, a shortcoming of the Colvin et al. study is not considering the well-documented release of methylmercury from dental amalgam restorations.