[A prospective study on the incidence of mercury levels in dental students. 2. Correlation analysis]

The urinary mercury levels of 49 dental students have been examined in a longitudinal study for one year. The correlation of the measured values with the number of amalgam fillings, age, sex, smoking habits, and nutrition was assessed. The urinary mercury levels did not correlate with sex and smoking habits, but there was a correlation with the number of amalgam fillings. The data obtained in our longitudinal study confirm the results of cross sectional studies: amalgam fillings contribute a measurable though small amount to urinary mercury excretion.