===============================================================
==
==
== ----------- ALS Interest Group
----------- ==
== ALS Digest
#974 (30 December 2001)
==
==
==
== ------ Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
==
== ------ Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
==
== ------ Lou
Gehrig's disease
==
==
------ maladie de Charcot
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CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE:
1 .. re: Mercury Debate
2 .. re: Dental staff documented to have high exposure to mercury
and more neurological conditions than public
3 .. re: ALS and mercury
4 .. re: mercury poisoning?
(1)
=====
re: Mercury Debate
==========
>From: Bernie Windham BWindham@PSC.STATE.FL.US
Date : Mon, 26 Nov 2001
>Bruce Wilson wrote in ALSD953:
>If Mercury is suppose to be the all encompassing trigger for all
>ALS onset, then why are the statistics world wide, still only 6-7
>per 100,000 people?
I'm not aware of any statistics like this. I'm reasonably certain that
most with ALS have not been tested for mercury toxicity or to assess
whether mercury is a major factor in their condition. But in clinics
that do test ALS patients to determine the cause, mercury has been found
to be a major factor in the majority. Clinics such as www.melisa.org
that tests to determine what the patient is immune reactive to, and such
as www.immed.org and www.ephca.com/mercury_als.htm
, etc. ALS is a hard
condition to treat due to the fact that major damage to the CNS has
occurred by the time most are diagnosed and look into what might be the
cause, and once there is a major body burden of a toxic and damage has
occured, it is hard to reverse the progression. But note that I have
posted documentation that there are other known causes such as lyme
disease, root canals, pesticides, lead, etc. And the clinics that test
for mercury find treatment has significant effects in the majority
of cases. B.W.
>I had mercury fillings in my mouth for most of my adult life. I do not
>have any now. Not because I ran to the dentist to have them replaced.
>You see I had a very bad habit for most of my life. I chewed ice cubes.
>I mean big time. What I did was set up a network, over many years, of
>fine cracks in my teeth that, over the past 4 years has meant that my
>teeth, including ALL with mercury fillings in them, to self destruct
>and fall out. Have I noticed a decline in my muscle loss due to not
>having mercury in my filling now. No such luck. I think in the past
>year my slow pace has actually picked up. Bruce
Its very unfortunate that people such as you who get chronic
degenerative conditions, don't have good options on dealing with them.
I've done research on mercury and its effects on people for over 20
years now because of the strong evidence that it is a factor in many
chronic degenerative conditons and is causing major harm to millions.
One reason i've focused on ALS is the severity of the effects.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstandings about mercury. It
is well documented in the scientific literature to accumulate over
time in the brain, CNS, hormone glands, heart, etc. so that even if you
lose your teeth (or have amalgam replaced) those who had amalgams
already have a major body burden to deal with. (Its possible to measure
this and to assess the extent to which mercury has caused harm, but
there is not one simple test that accomplishes this). Since the half
life of mercury in the brain/CNS is documented to be on the order of 20
years, those with ALS don't have time to let levels decline naturally
and its hard to reverse the ongoing damage. But as noted before, clinics
that deal with this condition and know the proper things to do often
have success at reducing the damage and some have had close to full
recovery (some of these I know). Similar for MS, Lupus, Chron's Disease,
etc. The majority of these latter conditions that have longer effect
spans recover, including me. B.W.
(2)
=====
re: Dental staff documented to have high exposures to mercury and
more neurological conditions than public
==========
>From: "Denise Yeaman" ( yadm3@skylinkisp.com
)
Date : Thu, 6 Sep 2001
This information was passed on to me by my Mom's former boss (Dentist)
with his theory of the mercury link to Motor Neuron Disease. This is
of course his opinion and some data from other sources.
Subject: Re: Dental staff documented to have high exposures to mercury
and more neurological conditions than public
Systemic mercury levels can be measured through blood, hair and urine
tests if you still want to clear any doubt. Her clinical exposure
to amalgam was many years ago, and the others of us who work in the
clinic would be the first to show signs, I would think.
Look a bit more at diabetic neuropathy. I believe it is likely that
XXXXX has been a diet controlled diabetic for many years.
Sent : Thursday, September 06, 2001
Subject: RE: Dental staff documented to have high exposures to
mercury and more neurological
conditions than public
> Thanks for the information. I just keep reading more and more about
> the mercury link to motor neuron disease and thought I'd see what
> you thought.
>
> Many substances we encounter every day are poisonous--in certain
> dosages.
>
> Science results can be interpreted based on the purpose one wishes
> to support, so the views of researchers often taint the results.
>
> I'm clear that mercury (actually methyl mercury) is a poison--in
> certain dosages. The diagnosis of mercury toxicity is to be made
> by toxicologist specialists--doctors who take samples of hair,
> blood, urine and make neurological assessments. Opinions about
> getting better after removal of amalgams can be attributed to
> mental relief much more than to measurable outcomes separate from
> the fear concerns.
>
> I've had mercury assessments almost every year for the past seven
> years on the idea that I'd like to know how my own absorption
> levels compare to general population. Theoretically, dentists are
> at higher risk of exposure to elemental mercury (before it is
> combined with the silver), so dentists can be the 'canary in the
> cage' for the effects of mercury. I'm comfortable at knowing that
> my mercury excretion levels are within normal population range--at
> levels where people who eat seafood regularly and have no amalgam
> fillings may present.
>
> Although there are choices for dental repairs, amalgam remains a
> most economical choice. The only alternative that gives good,
> durable service is cast gold retorations. Tooth colored fillings
> tend to leak and require more frequent replacement. When a
> replacement material is developed that rivals the durability,
> economy and longevity that amalgam provides, we'll have an
> opportunity to make the switch.
>
> Ask your mother about people who have their amalgams changed for
> a bunch of plastic fillings.
>
> Reams of papers were reviewed for the following conclusions made
> by the ADA, Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease
> Control:
>
> January/February 2001
>
> Silver Dental Fillings Are Still a Safe Option
>
> For more than 150 years, silver fillings - dental amalgams - have
> been a reliable option in tooth restoration. From time to time,
> some concern has been expressed about the safety of silver fillings
> because they contain mercury. However, when mercury is used in
> dental amalgam, it chemically binds to the other metals being
> used (silver, copper, or tin) and becomes a biologically inactive
> substance.
>
> Small quantities of mercury can be found throughout the body. We
> are exposed to mercury through drinking water and some foods,
> especially certain seafood, and through the air we breathe.
> Eventually, the body rids itself of mercury through the urine, but
> there is always a low level of mercury present in our bodies.
>
> While minute amounts of mercury vapor may be released from a
> silver filling under the pressure of chewing or grinding, there
> is no scientific evidence that such low-level exposure is harmful.
>
> Dental amalgam has been the subject of many scientific studies and
> there is no scientific evidence supporting a link between silver
> fillings and systemic diseases or chronic illnesses. No studies
> have demonstrated that the small contribution of mercury from
> dental fillings to the overall mercury level in the body causes a
> toxic reaction, except in the very rare case of an allergic
> reaction.
>
> Dental amalgam has not been banned in the United States or any
> other country. A few countries have suggested limiting the use of
> amalgam restorations in some patients (for example, young children,
> pregnant women or those who have kidney disease). Several nations
> report declining use of amalgam. These decreases are attributed
> to improvements in preventive dentistry, the introduction of
> more durable tooth-colored restoratives, and environmental
> concerns.
>
> Agencies within the U.S. Public Health Service - including the
> National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration and
> the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - have reviewed
> data on the safety of silver fillings. Based on the available
> research, these groups concluded that dental amalgam causes no
> demonstrated clinical harm and that removal of dental amalgam
> fillings will not prevent adverse health effects or reverse the
> course of existing diseases. The World Health Organization,
> American Association for Dental Research and the Environmental
> Protection Agency have reached similar conclusions.
(3)
=====
re: ALS and mercury
==========
>From: KIPRS@aol.com
Date : Thu, 27 Dec 2001
This is the second of several studies about the effects of mercury on
dental personnel that I'm sending to this list. In this message, I
describe a study that compared levels of mercury in urine in dental
workers and nondental workers and the performance of these two groups
on several tests of neurological damage and mood.
I'll keep my summary short. I urge readers to get this and other studies
I cite and decide for yourselves what these studies say about the
connection between mercury in amalgam and diseases of the central
nervous system. The citation is:
Diego Gonzalez-Ramirez et al., "Sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate
challenge test for mercury in humans: II: Urinary Mercury, prophyrins
and neurobehavioral changes in dental workers in Monterrey, Mexico,"
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapueutics, 1995;272:264-274.
The study was conducted by scientists at the University of Arizona, the
University of Washington, and the Rocky Mountain Poison Center. The
subjects were ten dental technicians, five dentists, and 13 nondental
personnel working in Monterrrey, Mexico. Mercury levels in urine were
determined for all subjects. The authors administered several tests to
measure "adverse subclinical nervous system effects."
The mercury levels in all subjects were within "normal" range, that
is,
far below levels associated with sudden, acute exposure to mercury. But
the urinary mercury levels in dental personnel were much higher than
those in the nondental personnel, and even at these "low" levels, the
authors found a correlation between mercury levels and adverse effects.
The authors concluded: "[U]rinary mercury levels . . . were adversely
and statistically associated with functions associated with complex
attention (switching task), and psychomotor tasks (symbol-digit latency),
mood and symptoms in a linear dose-effect manner. These findings were
consistent with previous findings among dentists with low-level mercury
exposure . . ." (p. 272). The authors noted the limitations of this
study, including the small sample size.
Kip Sullivan
(4)
=====
re: mercury poisoning?
==========
>From: Bernie Windham BWindham@PSC.STATE.FL.US
Date : Thu, 6 Sep 2001
(Version 1- short version)
>"Denise Yeaman" <yadm3@skylinkisp.com>
Wrote in ALSD911 :
>I am curious about the mercury poisoning theory regarding ALS. My
>Mother worked in a dental office for 37 years. Could there be any
>correlation to the mercury she used in the dental office and
>developing this horrific disease later in life (71 years old)?
It is well documented by medical studies listed in the National Library
of Medicine Medline(www.nlm.nih.gov) that
dentists and dental assistants
have relatively high exposures to mercury from their work, and accumulate
high levels of mercury in the brain and hormone organs, with more
neurological conditions and reproductive effects than the general
population.
The same is true of dental hygenists who get high exposures along with
their patient when they polish amalgam fillings. Becauee of this, some
hygenist schools such as Calif. now warn dental hygenists that they
should not polish teeth with amalgams in them. Dental workers are
documenterd to get more autoimmune conditions than the general public
(ALS has autoimmune connection according the the Medical labs
www.melisa.org and www;altcorp.com)
Documention of the higher exposures and increased neurological
conditions of dentists and dental workers can be found at:
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/damspr6.html
Or
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/dental.html
B.W.
version 2: longer but more complete and useful to those interested
That dentsts and dental assistants and hygenists get higher than
average merucry exposure and more than average neurological,
autoimmune, and reproductive problems than the general population is
doucmented in the following fact sheet from DAMS, which a support
group for the many mercury poisoned people throughout the U.S. :
Health Effects to Dentists, Dental Assistants, and Dental Hygienists
from Occupational Exposure to Mercury Vapor from Amalgam Fillings
DAMS has also compiled over 75 medical studies documenting the adverse
health effects of dental office mercury exposure to dentists, dental
assistants, and dental hygienists . The studies reviewed found that:
1. Dental office staff mercury exposure is comparable to exposure from
more than 12 amalgam fillings and commonly more than the federal
ATSDR/EPA health guideline(MRL) for mercury(1,2,3).
2. Dental staff exposure is proportionate to the number of amalgam
fillings placed, removed, or polished- as well as the number of their
own amalgam fillings(1,2,3).
3. Dental staff have significantly higher levels of mercury excretion
than non-occupationally exposed controls(1,2).
4. Sensitization or development of allergic conditions such as
dermatitis and systemic allergies is common among dental staff(1,2,8).
5. Dentist and dental staff commonly accumulate mercury body burden and
develop neurological conditions such as irritability, depression or mood
disorders, memory deficits, headaches, neuropathies, motor function
deficits, or tremors(1,2,9,10).
6. Dentists and dental workers have also been found to have higher
levels of autoimmune or immune disorders, chronic fatigue, arthritis,
myalgia or neuralgia(1,2,8,9)
7. Dentists and dental workers have been found to have higher levels
of reproductive problems- including infertility, menstrual disorders,
birth defects, spontaneous abortions, or children with lower than
average IQ(1,2,5).
8. Some studies have found higher cancer rates, mood disorders, and
higher suicide rates among dentists than in controls(1,2,8)
9. Patients and occupationally exposed workers who get their amalgam
fillings replaced and avoid further exposure to mercury often recover
from serious chronic systemic conditions(6).
10. Dental office waste and mercury in human wastes of those with
amalgam fillings are a significant source of high mercury levels in
sewers, waterways, fish, and wildlife. Over 7% of all U.S. river
miles, 20% of all U.S. lakes, and many bays have warnings limiting
fish consumption due to mercury accumulation(4,2).
References
1. B. Windham(Ed.), Health Effects to Dental Staff from Occupational
Exposure to Mercury From Work with Amalgam Fillings, 2001 (over 75
medical study references) www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/dental.html
2. Common Exposure Levels from Amalgam Fillings and the Mechanism by
which mercury causes over 40 chronic health conditions including
autoimmune conditions. (Over 1000 medical study references, most from
National Library of Medicine Medline)
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/amalg6.html
3. DAMS Fact Sheet 1, Amalgam is the number one source of mercury in
most people and Exposures Commonly Exceed Government Health Guidelines
for mercury, 2001.
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/damspr1.html
4. DAMS Fact Sheet 2, The Environmental Effects of Amalgam Affect
Everyone, 2001.
www/home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/damspr2s.html
5. Transfer of Mercury from Mother's Amalgams and Breast Milk to the
Fetus and Developmental Effects of Mercury on Infants (over 140 medical
study references, most from NIH Medline)
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/fetaln.html
6. Documentation of recovery from 60,000 clinical cases of serious
adverse health effects after replacement of amalgam fillings as
documented by doctors.
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1
7. Effect of Mercury and Other Toxic Metal Exposure on Cognitive and
Behavioral Problems of Children- including ADHD, dyslexia, juvenile
delinquency, and crime (over 100 medical study references, most from
Medline) www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/tmlbn.html
8. Autoimmune and Allergic Conditions: the connection to mercury
immune reactivity and amalgam fillings (over 70 medical study
references) www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/indexa.html
9. DAMS Fact Sheet 3, Documentation of Mechanisms by which mercury/
amalgam causes over 40 chronic health conditions, 2001.
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/damspr3.html
10. B. Windham, Mechanisms by which mercury/amalgam causes depression
and mood disorders, 2001;
www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/depress.html
Technical contact person: Bernard Windham berniew1@earthlink.net
ph: 850-878-9024 National DAMS: www.amalgam.org
=== end of alsd 974 ===