Technical assistance report no. TA-76-108: Children's Hospital Dental Services, Cincinnati, Ohio and Clermont Children's Dental Services: Batavia, Ohio

Abstract

Environmental and personal air samples were analyzed for mercury (7439976) vapor at the Clermont County Children's Dental Services (SIC-8021), in Batavia, Ohio, on October 22, 1976, and at the Children's Hospital Dental Services (SIC-8021), in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 28, 1976. The evaluations were requested by management on behalf of approximately 28 employees at the two facilities. Air samples from the Clermont County Dental Clinic contained mercury vapor concentrations ranging from nondetectable to 0.018 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). Mercury concentrations at the Dental Clinic at Children's Hospital ranged from nondetectable to direct reading mercury sniffer indicated some mercury contamination in the carpets, operatory counter tops, floors, and on the shoe soles of the staff of the Cincinnati Clinic. The author concludes that although air mercury vapor concentrations were below recommended standards, considerable mercury contamination, primarily in the carpets, does exist at the Cincinnati Clinic. He recommends removal of the contaminated carpet, use of precapsulated amalgams, proper housecleaning procedures, proper disposal of waste mercury, and worker education