Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA-87-281-1854, Litteken Dental Clinic, Ardmore, Oklahoma

摘要

An investigation was made of possible hazardous exposures to mercury and nitrous-oxide at a dental clinic. Air samples were taken while the dentist and assistants used mercury amalgams. Nitrous-oxide was in use for over three hours. The air sampling results revealed a range of nitrous-oxide concentrations in the room air from 30 to 220 parts per million (ppm). Mercury concentrations ranged from nondetectable to 0.009ppm, well below the evaluation criteria of 0.05ppm. The author concludes that a health hazard from excessive exposures to nitrous-oxide exists, but mercury levels pose no health hazard in the clinic. The author recommends that the ventilation system should be adjusted each time nitrous-oxide is going to be used. Routine maintenance checks should be performed on all anesthetic and suction equipment. The installation of a large fan on the roof of the building is suggested. Patients, particularly children, should be watched so that they do not play with the face mask during the administration of nitrous-oxide.