[Is a generalized amalgam ban justified? Studies of mothers and their newborn infants]

To measure the Hg-contamination from amalgam as well as other exposures to mothers and their newborns 185 women with tooth filling surfaces from 0 to 780 mm2 were examined. The Hg-values of mother and child at a time showed a highly significant correlation with a median value from 0.4 resp. 0.5 microgram/Hg/l. Obviously, the placenta has a retention capability with up to 10 times higher Hg-values and a low positive correlation to the amalgam surfaces. There was no relationship between the blood values of the women and the children and the size of the surfaces of the amalgam fillings. Opposite to this a high consumption of fish led to higher Hg-values in the umbilical cord blood, this even in children with mothers without amalgam fillings. Other exposures through working conditions (i.e. dental assistant) or living environment did not lead to higher values. Symptoms of diseases such as headaches, allergies, eczemas appeared with those patients who had amalgam fillings as well as those in the group without amalgam fillings. All women gave birth to healthy children. With all necessary caution concerning contamination with heavy metals during pregnancy some of today's panic inducing portrayals do not seem justified.