6.
Particles in a dental office can be generated by a number of instruments, such as air-turbine handpieces, low-speed handpieces,
ultrasonic scalers, bicarbonate polishers, polishing cups, as well as drilling and air sprays inside the oral cavity. This
study examined the generation of particles during dental drilling and measured particle size, mass, and trace elements. The
air sampling techniques included both continuous and integrated methods. The following particle continuous measurements were
taken every minute: (1) size-selective particle number concentration (Climet); (2) total particle number concentration (PTRAK),
and; (3) particle mass concentration (DustTrak). Integrated particle samples were collected for about 5 h on each of five
sampling days, using a PM
2.5 sampler (ChemComb) for elemental/organic carbon analysis, and a PM
10 sampler (Harvard Impactor) for mass and elemental analyses. There was strong evidence that these procedures result in particle
concentrations above background. The dental procedures produced number concentrations of relatively small particles (<0.5 μm)
that were much higher than concentrations produced for the relatively larger particles (>0.5 μm). Also, these dental procedures
caused significant elevation above background of certain trace elements (measured by X-ray fluorescence) but did not cause
any elevation of elemental carbon (measured by thermal optical reflectance). Dental drilling procedures aerosolize saliva
and products of drilling, producing particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. The potential health impacts
of the exposure of dental personnel to such particles need to be evaluated. Increased ventilation and personal breathing protection
could be used to minimize harmful effects.
相似文献