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3649298 
Technical Report 
Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-87-147-1873, Rothan and Rothan, DDS, Cincinnati, Ohio 
Zey, JN 
1988 
NIOSH/00179858 
NIOSH 
HETA-87-147-1873 
87-147 
In response to a request from employees at Rothan and Rothan, DDS (SIC-8021), Cincinnati, Ohio, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous mercury (7439976) exposures at this dental office. Area and personal air samples were taken and analyzed for mercury and methyl-methacrylate (80626). A bulk sample of a separation material was taken for asbestos (1332214) analysis. Mercury concentrations in the air ranged from 4.1 to 13 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) for 22 personal samples and from 5.3 to 11microg/m3 in eight area samples. While an employee was using a powered vacuum cleaner, short term air samples registered from 19 to 32microg/m3. Area air samples revealed mercury concentrations all below 20microg/m3. Those areas close to locations of mercury use demonstrated higher surface concentrations of mercury. Methyl-methacrylate concentrations were low. Tiredness, fatigue, and memory loss were reported by two workers; these symptoms were not correlated with exposure to any chemical. A separation material previously used for dental models was found to contain chrysotile (12001295). The author concludes that a health hazard does not exist from mercury exposure except during use of the vacuum cleaner. The author recommends that old carpeting and the vacuum cleaner be replaced to reduce exposure to mercury.