[Mercury vapor emission from amalgam capsules during trituration and storage].

Abstract

Inhalation of mercury vapor is a potential hazard when handling dental amalgam. To prove the safety of modern capsule systems, we tested 21 brands of dental amalgam. Mercury vapor emission was measured at different stages during handling: a) immediately after opening of a capsule package, b) cumulative emission over 24 h of storage of an open package, c) during trituration and d) for different methods of waste capsule treatment. Highly significant differences between capsule types were found for the measured parameters. Disposable capsules that could be reassembled showed the most favorable results.