Professional paper

Oral manifestations in occupational mercury poisoning

Zdenko Njemirovskij ; Stomatološka klinika medicinski fakultet Zagreb

Abstract

The author discusses his observations of the oral symptoms found in workers in the mercury mine and the smelting plant of ldria. Owing to the high temperature (22-23° C), the small velocity of air movement and rather high concentrations of mercury (2.00 mg/m3 to 5.90 mg/m3) in the fits of native mercury is won. The number of incidents of subacute intoxications with mercury vapours was high (Table 1). In the smelting plant where mercury hazards exist for some workers only (cleaning of condensations pipes and of the chimney, filling of steel bottles) less oral symptoms of subacute poisoning was found (Table 2). In a felt hat factory at Škofja Loka, where mercury compounds are still in use, the author found signs of chronic intoxication, of the mucous membrane of the pharynx and the gum. These findings went together with symptoms of chronic disturbances in the central nervous system (Table 3). The oral hygiene of the examined persons was found to be poor and nowhere satisfying (Table 1. 2, 3). As good oral hygiene and healthy condition of teeth play an important part in prevention of oral manifestations and edentulous persons did not show any signs of gingivitis, great responsibility rests on the dental profession and the importance of industrial dentistry is pointed out. Because of the facts (1) that the oral cavity presents the main entrance for many toxic agents, (2) that it shows initial symptoms of some intoxications and (3) that it is easily accessible, the purpose of a fruitful collaboration between the dentist and the industrial physician is the periodic examination of the oral cavity of workers exposed to occupational oral hazards

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

187444

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/187444

Publication date:

10.12.1952.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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