Symptoms in these children included uncoordinated movement, abnormal reflexes, seizures and speech problems. A total of 46 people died as a result of mercury exposure. In 1972, approximately 6,500 people fell ill and 459 people died after eating bread baked with wheat contaminated with a mercury-based fungicide. A study started in 1984 investigated the effects of methyl mercury exposure on children born to mothers who ate contaminated whale meat. Tooth cavities are most often filled with dental amalgam .
Dental amalgam is made with several different materials including silver, tin, copper and mercury.
When these materials are combined, they form a stable substance. Used for over 150 years, dental amalgam has proved to be an effective and relatively inexpensive way to repair damaged teeth. Because dental amalgam contains mercury, some people have been concerned that they can be poisoned by tooth fillings. However, the American Dental Association has reviewed the literature and has concluded that dental amalgam is a safe way to repair teeth, unless you are allergic to one of the materials in amalgam. The US Public Health Service and Food and Drug Administration have reached similar conclusions.