Kesorn Wongsuriyasak  Theerasit  Chernbamrung  Chanthip  Intawong

 Chonrudee Sodsri Kunnari Bureerum

 

Introduction:

          After assessment of working environment and health risk of a government hospital,Dental Clinic shown excessive Mercury from air environment. A multidisciplinary approach to reduce Mercury exposure,such as risk management,person exposure assessment and health surveillance,was performed.

Method:

          Expert for related fields discussed and made decision in management criteria,walk through survey/re collect air sample,develop Investigation form and surveillance in July 2016-May 2017.

Result:

          Dental Clinic had 11 units.7 Units were in a big room.4 other units were in 4 small rooms.Among 38 Health workers,17 were Dentists,7 were Dental Public Health officers and 14 others.3,000 cases were operated monthly,while Amalgam was used by 2.92%.Mercury in Air-environment was 0.53 mg/m3

Management: were 1.) Source : Clean up whole system,stop usage of Amalgum 2.) Pathway :Ventilation Management and Monitor CO2 and Mercury in Air-environment. 3.) Reciver:Assess personal exposure and health effect.24 personal-air samples were sent to 2 laboratories 35 samples of Mercury in urine and health effect were negative findings.

Recommendations:

          Health risk assesment,clean up process and ventilation may should be continue and extrapolate to other Dental clinics.

Key words: Mercury exposure,Health worker,dental clinic,Hospital