You have to marvel at how medical politics makes people argue that
mercury is safe, and safe to have in your mouth.  

The amalgam makers http://www.***.com/
 know the dangers, even if no one else does:

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET L.D. Caulk
   MEGALLOY? SPHERICAL ALLOY (Powder in Capsules)

Health Effects and first aid Inhalation: Acute Inhalation of a high
concentration of mercury vapor can cause almost immediate dyspnea,
cough, fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, salivation,
metallic taste, gingivitis, and cardiac abnormalities. Respiratory
irritation may occur with chest pain and tightness. Symptoms may re
solve or may progress to necrotizing bronchiolitis, pneumonitis,
pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, interstitial fibrosis, and death.
Acidosis and renal damage may also occur. Allergic reactions that may
occur in previously exposed persons include dermatitis, encephalitis,
and death. Metal fume fever, an influenza-like illness, may occur due to
the inhalation of freshly formed metal oxide particles sized below 1.5
microns and usually between 0.02-0.05 microns. Symptoms may be delayed
4-12 hours and begin with a sudden onset of thirst, and a sweet,
metallic or foul taste in the mouth. Other symptoms may include upper
respiratory tract irritation accompanied by coughing and a dryness of
the mucous membranes, lassitude and a generalized feeling of malaise.
Fever, chills, muscular pain, mild to severe headache, nausea,
occasional vomiting, exaggerated mental activity, profuse sweating,
excessive urination, diarrhea and prostration may also occur. Tolerance
to fumes develops rapidly, but is quickly lost. All symptoms usually
subside within 24-36 hours.

Inhalation: Chronic Inhalation of mercury vapor over a long period may
cause mercurialism which is characterized by fine tremors and erethism.
Tremors may affect the hands first, but may also become evident in the
face, arms, and legs. Erethism may be manifested by abnormal shyness,
blushing, self-consciousness, depression or despondency resentment
of criticism, irritability or excitability, headache, fatigue, and
insomnia. In severe cases, hallucinations, loss of memory, and mental
deterioration may occur. Concentrations as low and 0.03 mg/m3 have
induced psychiatric symptoms in humans. Renal involvement may be
indicated by proteinuria, albuminuria, enzymuria, and anuria. Other
effects may include salivation, gingivitis, stomatitis, loosening of the
teeth, blue lines on the gums, diarrhea, chronic pneumonitis and
mild anemia. Repeated exposure to mercury and its compounds may result
in sensitization. Intrauterine exposure may result in tremors and
involuntary movements in the infants. Mercury is excreted in {*filter*}
milk. Paternal reproductive effects and effects on fertility have been
reported in male rats following repeated inhalation exposures. First Aid
Remove from exposure area to fresh air immediately. If breathing has
stopped, give artificial respiration. Maintain airway and {*filter*} pressure
and administer oxygen if available. Keep affected person warm and at
rest. Treat symptomatically and supportively. Administration of oxygen
should be performed by qualified personnel. Get medical attention
immediately.

Skin contact: Acute Direct contact with liquid may cause irritation and
redness. Small amounts of mercury may be absorbed through intact skin.
Allergic reactions that may occur in previously exposed persons include
dermatitis, encephalitis, and death. Subcutaneous introcuction, from
handling broken thermometers, may result in local inflammation,
granulomatous skin reactions, and slight signs of mercury poisoning
including digestive disorders, metallic taste in the mouth, and
neuropsychic disorders. Skin contact Chronic prolonged or repeated
exposure may result in dermal sensitization and systemic effects as
detailed in chronic inhalation exposure. Skin contact First aid Remove
contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected area with
soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water until no evidence of
chemical remains (approximately 15-20 minutes). Get medical attention
immediately. Eye contact Acute Direct contact with liquid may cause
irritation and redness. Animal studies indicate diffusion and absorption
of mercury into the tissues of the eye may occur. No clinical signs of
conjunctivitis or inflammation occurred.

Eye contact: Chronic Mercury exposure from inhalation ingestion, or skin
contact may be indicated by mercurialentis, discoloration of the
crystalline lens, on slit lamp examination of the eye. First aid wash
eyes immediately with large amounts of water or normal saline,
occasionally lifting upper and lower lids, until no evidence of chemical
remains (approximately 15-20 minutes). Get medical attention
immediately.

Ingestion: May cause burning of the mouth and throat, thirst, nausea and
vomiting. Metallic mercury is not usually absorbed sufficiently from the
gastrointestinal tract to induce an acute toxic response. Rarely, a
large single dose may result in sign and symptoms of chronic inhalation
is sufficient amount of mercury are retained in the body. Chronic
Repeated ingestion of small amount of mercury may result in the
absorption of sufficient amounts to product toxic effects as detailed in
chronic inhalation exposure. First Aid Remove by gastric lavage or
mesis. Maintain {*filter*} pressure and airway. Give oxygen if respiration is
depressed.. Do not perform gastric lavage or emesis if victim is
unconscious. Get medical attention immediately (Dreisbach, Handbook of
Poisoning, 11th ed.). Administration of gastric lavage or oxygen should
be performed by qualified medical personnel. Antidote The following
antidote had been recommended. However, the decision as to whether the
severity of poisoning requires administration of any antidote
and actual dose required should be made by qualified medical personnel.
Mercury poisoning Give dimercaprol, 3mg/kg (or 0.3 ml/10kg) every 4
hours for the first 2 days and then 2mg/kg every 12 hours for a total of
10 days if necessary. Dimercaprol is available as a 10% solution in oil
for intra muscular administration. Hemodialysis will speed the removal
of the mercury-dimercaprol complex. Penicallamine is also effective.
Give up to 100 mg/kg/day (maximum 1 gr/day) divided into 4 doses for no
longer than 1 week. If a longer administration period is warranted,
dosage should not exceed 40/mg/kg/day. Give the drug orally half an hour
before meals. A chelating agent should be continued until the
urine-mercury level falls below 50g/24 hours (Dreisbach, Handbook of
Poisoning, 12th ed.). Incompatibility with Acetylene, acetylinic
compounds, aluminum, amines, ammonia+moisture, boron diiodphosphide,
bromine, 3-bromopropyne, calcium, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, copper and
alloys, ethylene oxide + traces of acetylene, lithium, methyl azide,
methylsilane + oxygen, nitric acid + {*filter*}s, oxalic acid, oxidants,
peroxyformic acid, rubidium, silver perchlorate + 3-hexyne, silver
perchlorate + 2-pentyne, sodium, sodium carbide, sulphuric acid (hot),
tetracarbonylnickel+ oxygen.

560898 (R-5/97)