Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation from Wi-Fi Devices on Mercury Release from Amalgam Restorations

"Conclusion:  Exposure of patients with amalgam restorations to radiofrequency radiation emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices can increase mercury release from amalgam restorations."

Effect of radiofrequency radiation from Wi-Fi devices on mercury release from amalgam restorations
Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
Paknahad, M., Mortazavi, S.M.J., Shahidi, S. et al. J Environ Health Sci Engineer (2016) 14: 12. doi:10.1186/s40201-016-0253-z

Maryam Paknahad,
S. M. J. Mortazavi,
Shoaleh Shahidi,
Ghazal Mortazavi,
Masoud Haghani

Open AccessResearch article
First Online: 13 July 2016

Abstract

Background

Dental amalgam is composed of approximately 50% elemental mercury. Despite concerns over the toxicity of mercury, amalgam is still the most widely used restorative material. Wi-Fi is a rapidly using local area wireless computer networking technology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the effect of exposure to Wi-Fi signals on mercury release from amalgam restorations.

Methods

Standard class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of 20 non-carious extracted human premolars. The teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 10). The control group was stored in non-environment. The specimens in the experimental groups were exposed to a radiofrequency radiation emitted from standard Wi Fi devices at 2.4 GHz for 20 min. The distance between the Wi-Fi router and samples was 30 cm and the router was exchanging data with a laptop computer that was placed 20 m away from the router.

The concentration of mercury in the artificial saliva in the groups was evaluated by using a cold-vapor atomic absorption Mercury Analyzer System. The independent t test was used to evaluate any significant differences in mercury release between the two groups.

Results

The mean (±SD) concentration of mercury in the artificial saliva of the Wi-Fi exposed teeth samples was 0.056 ± .025 mg/L, while it was only 0.026 ± .008 mg/L in the non-exposed control samples. This difference was statistically significant (P =0.009).

Conclusion

Exposure of patients with amalgam restorations to radiofrequency radiation emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices can increase mercury release from amalgam restorations.

Full text:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40201-016-0253-z