Over the past decades, the use of common sources of electromagnetic fields such as Wi-Fi routers and mobile phones has been increased enormously all over the world. There is ongoing concern that exposure to electromagnetic fields can lead to adverse health effects. It has recently been shown that even low doses of mercury may cause toxicity. Therefore, efforts are initiated to phase down or eliminate the use of mercury amalgam in dental restorations. Increased release of mercury from dental amalgam restorations after exposure to electromagnetic fields such as those generated by MRI and mobile phones has been reported by our team and other researchers. We have recently shown that some of the papers which reported no increased release of mercury after MRI, may have some methodological errors. Although it was previously believed that the amount of mercury released from dental amalgam cannot be hazardous, new findings indicate that mercury, even at low doses, may cause toxicity. Based on recent epidemiological findings, it can be claimed that the safety of mercury released from dental amalgam fillings is questionable. Therefore, as some individuals tend to be hypersensitive to the toxic effects of mercury, regulatory authorities should re-assess the safety of exposure to electromagnetic fields in individuals with amalgam restorations. On the other hand, we have reported that increased mercury release after exposure to electromagnetic fields may be risky for the pregnant women. It is worth mentioning that as a strong positive correlation between maternal and cord blood mercury levels has been found in some studies, our findings regarding the effect of exposure to electromagnetic fields on the release of mercury from dental amalgam fillings lead us to this conclusion that pregnant women with dental amalgam fillings should limit their exposure to electromagnetic fields to prevent toxic effects of mercury in their foetuses. Based on these findings, as infants and children are more vulnerable to mercury exposures, and as some individuals are routinely exposed to different sources of electromagnetic fields, we possibly need a paradigm shift in evaluating the health effects of amalgam fillings.

1. Increased Mercury Release from Dental Amalgam
Restorations after Exposure to Electromagnetic
The Fifth Congress of the Paris Appeal
May 18th 2015
Royal Academy Of Medecine, Belgium
Restorations after Exposure to Electromagnetic
Fields as a Potential Hazard for Hypersensitive
People and Pregnant Women
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 1
SMJ Mortazavi, Ph.D
Professor of Medical Physics & INIRPRC Director
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
mmortazavi@sums.ac.ir
Ghazal Mortazavi, Ph.D
Dentist
Bushehr University of Medical Sciences
qaz.mortazavi@gmail.com

2. The Fifth Congress of the Paris Appeal
Environmental idiopathic intolerance:
What role for EMFs and multiple
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 2
chemicals ?
Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and multiple
chemical sensitivity (MCS)

3. Electricity is an
essential part of
modern life.
It is estimated that by
the middle of this
century, the global usecentury, the global use
of electricity will be
multiplied by a factor
of 2.5 to 3.0.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 3

4. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are produced by the motion
of electrons.
All electrical or electronic devices such as wireless
technologies (e.g. Wi-Fi, mobile phones and cordless
phones), laptop computers, microwave ovens and powerphones), laptop computers, microwave ovens and power
lines produce electromagnetic fields.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 4

5. EMF Ocean!
We all live in an ocean of
electromagnetic fields!
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 5

6. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 6

7. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 7

8. A very basic question that should be
answered:
Why is Exposure to Different
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D) 8
Why is Exposure to Different
Sources of EMFs so Important?

9. 9
Very Frequent Use by the Whole Population
Wide Geographical Distribution of Users
In Africa, No land-line but mobile phones are used
Poor Knowledge about the Effects
Inescapable Exposures
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D)
Very Wide Sources
Baby Watch, Wireless Technologies
Hidden Sources
Wi-Fi Signals coming from our neighbours
Continuous 24 h/d, 7 days/wk exposures
Old Standards
Challenging Serious Biological Effects
The issue of exposure to Children

10. Current Controversies!
The effect of RF-EMF on biological systems is still
controversial.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 10

11. Amalgam Mercury Issue
It was previously believed
that dental amalgam, which
contains about fifty
precents mercury, is inert
and cannot release mercuryand cannot release mercury
after restoration.
However, in 2009, the US
FDA acknowledged that
dental amalgam releases
low levels of elemental
mercury vapor.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 11

12. Dental Amalgam Safety Concern
Since 150 years ago,
amalgam has been used
in dentistry as an
excellent and versatile
However, nowadays, the
popularity of amalgam is
decreasing due to rapidly
growing concerns about itsexcellent and versatile
dental restorative
material due to its
properties such as low
cost, ease of application,
strength, durability, and
bacteriostatic effects.
growing concerns about its
detrimental health effects,
environmental pollution, and
aesthetics.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 12

13. Now there is a growing public concern!
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 13

14. Historical Changes of Mercury%
After some historical
changes in the mercury-
to-amalgam ratio,
modern amalgams aremodern amalgams are
now produced from
precapsulated alloy
consisting of 42-45%
mercury by weight.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 14

15. According to ADA:
“Sometimes described as “silver-
colored” fillings, dental amalgam
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D)
15
colored” fillings, dental amalgam
has been used by dentists for more
than 100 years!” “Because of their durability, these
silver-colored fillings are often the
best choice for large cavities or
those that occur in the back teeth
where a lot of force is needed to
chew.”

16. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D)
16

17. Are low levels of mercury safe?
Recent findings indicate that
mercury, even at low doses, may
cause toxicity
As dental amalgam fillings releaseAs dental amalgam fillings release
low levels of elemental mercury
vapor, today, there is a debate over :
If these levels are safe and
Whether the safety threshold is
the same for different
subpopulations.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 17

18. • Concerns regarding the rapidly
growing exposure to EMF sources and
increased mercury release from dental
The rationale for our previous
studies
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D) 18
increased mercury release from dental
amalgam after exposure to
electromagnetic fields, especially in
children, people who are routinely
exposed to electromagnetic fields and
hypersensitive subpopulations,
prompted us to perform more studies.

19. MRI and the Release of Mercury
Our first report on the
role of exposure to
magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) orimaging (MRI) or
microwave radiation
emitted by mobile
phones in enhancing the
release of mercury from
dental amalgam
restoration was
published in 2008.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 19

20. MRI & Release of Mercury
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 20

21. Mobile Phone Use and the Release of
Mercury
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 21

22. Rationale for Our Recent Study
Nowadays, MRI systems
utilize:utilize:
Stronger static magnetic fields
Faster and stronger gradient
magnetic fields
More powerful radiofrequency
(RF) transmission coils
SMJ Mortazavi

23. Methods in our recent study
To overcome the limitations of our
previous study, we have recently
studied the effects of stronger
magnetic fields (1.5 T in our recent
study vs. 0.25 T in our previous
report) and provided further
support for the adverse effect of
MRI in increasing the release
of mercury from dental amalgam
fillings.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 23

24. ResultsResults
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 24

25. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 25

26. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 26

27. No Effect Reports in the Literature
We have also
shown that a few
published papers
which reported nowhich reported no
increased release of
mercury after MRI,
may have severe
methodological
flaws.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 27

28. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 28

29. Mortazavi, G and Mortazavi,
SM (2015) Should pregnant
women with dental amalgam
fillings limit their exposure to
electromagnetic fields to
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 29
electromagnetic fields to
prevent the toxic effects of
mercury in their foetuses?
Technol Health Care.

30. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 30

31. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 31
Mortazavi, G and Mortazavi, SMJ (in press) Amalgam contact hypersensitivity lesion: An unusual presentation-
report of a rare case. Annals of medical and health sciences research.

32. Figure
Human exposure to electromagnetic
fields generated by mobile phones,
MRI or X-rays can lead to increased
release of mercury from dental
amalgam fillings.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 32
Ghazal Mortazavi, Hossein Mozdarani, Samaneh
Jarideh, and SMJ Mortazavi . How Limiting is the
Increased Mercury Release Due to Exposure to
Electromagnetic Fields in Using Dental Amalgam in
Restorative Dentistry? IJRR. In press.

33. Autism
Introducing a Hypothesis
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D)
33

34. Autism Issue
There are some evidence indicating that perinatal
exposure to mercury is significantly associated with an
increased risk of developmental disorders such as
autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Furthermore, mercury can decrease the levels of
neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin,
noreprenephrine, and acetylcholine in the brain and
cause neurological problems.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 34

35. Autism Issue:
On the other hand, a strong positive correlation
between maternal and cord blood mercury levels is
found in some studies.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 35

36. Autism Issue:
Maternal exposure to electromagnetic fields in
mothers with dental amalgam fillings may cause
elevated levels of mercury and trigger the increase inelevated levels of mercury and trigger the increase in
autism rates.
Further studies are needed to have a better
understanding of the possible role of the increased
mercury level after exposure to electromagnetic fields
and the rate of autism spectrum disorders in the
offspring.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 36

37. Autism
Issue:
Considering the strong
association between
exposure to electromagnetic
fields and increased mercury
release from dental amalgam
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 37
release from dental amalgam
fillings, it can be
hypothesized that maternal
exposure to electromagnetic
fields in mothers with dental
amalgam fillings may cause
elevated levels of mercury
and possibly trigger the
increase in autism rates

38. Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 38
Reference: Mortazavi, G, Haghani, M, Rastegarian, N, Zarei, S, and Mortazavi, S (2015) Increased Release of Mercury
from Dental Amalgam Fillings due to Maternal Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields as a Possible Mechanism for the High
Rates of Autism in the Offspring: Introducing a Hypothesis. Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering.

39. What can we do?
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D)
39

40. Can we move to mercury free
dentistry?
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D) 40
Kathmandu– Academician, dental professionals and environmental experts emphasizes the protection of
human health and environmental pollution and urge the government to take initiative step to introduce national
regulation on mercury-free dentistry, mercury free health care services and an alternative dental curriculum.

41. Are There Alternatives to Using
Dental Amalgam Fillings?
Resin composite
Glass ionomer Every restorative material hasGlass ionomer
Resin ionomer
Porcelain
Gold alloys
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 41
Every restorative material has
advantages and disadvantages!

42. According to ADA:
“Ultimately, the best dental filling
is no dental filling!”
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D)
42
is no dental filling!”
“Prevention is the best medicine!”

43. REFERENCES
[1] S. M. J. Mortazavi, M. Motamedifar, G. Namdari, M. Taheri, A. R. Mortazavi, and N. Shokrpour, "Non-
Linear Adaptive Phenomena which Decrease the Risk of infection after Pre-Exposure to Radiofrequency
Radiation," Dose-Response, in press.
[2] S. M. J. Mortazavi, S. Taeb, and N. Dehghan, "Alterations of Visual Reaction Time and Short Term
Memory in Military Radar Personnel," Iranian J Publ Health, vol. 42, pp. 428-435, 2013.
[3] S. M. J. Mortazavi, M. S. Rouintan, S. Taeb, N. Dehghan, A. A. Ghaffarpanah, Z. Sadeghi, et al.,
"Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted
visual reaction time," Acta Neurologica Belgica, vol. 112, pp. 171-175, 2012.
[4] S. M. J. Mortazavi, M. A. Mosleh-Shirazi, A. R. Tavassoli, M. Taheri, A. R. Mehdizadeh, S. A. S.
Namazi, et al., "Increased Radioresistance to Lethal Doses of Gamma Rays in Mice and Rats after Exposure toNamazi, et al., "Increased Radioresistance to Lethal Doses of Gamma Rays in Mice and Rats after Exposure to
Microwave Radiation Emitted by a GSM Mobile Phone Simulator," Dose Response, vol. 11 pp. 281-292, 2013.
[5] S. Mortazavi, M. Mosleh-Shirazi, A. Tavassoli, M. Taheri, Z. Bagheri, R. Ghalandari, et al., "A
comparative study on the increased radioresistance to lethal doses of gamma rays after exposure to microwave
radiation and oral intake of flaxseed oil," Iranian Journal of Radiation Research, vol. 9, pp. 9-14, 2011.
[6] S. M. J. Mortazavi, A. Habib, A. H. Ganj-Karimi, R. Samimi-Doost, A. Pour-Abedi, and A. Babaie,
"Alterations in TSH and Thyroid Hormones Following Mobile Phone Use," OMJ, vol. 24, pp. 274-278 2009.
[7] S. M. J. Mortazavi, E. Daiee, A. Yazdi, K. Khiabani, A. Kavousi, R. Vazirinejad, et al., "Mercury release
from dental amalgam restorations after magnetic resonance imaging and following mobile phone use,"
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, vol. 11, pp. 1142-1146, 2008.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 43

44. [8] S. M. J. Mortazavi, J. Ahmadi, and M. Shariati, "Prevalence of subjective poor health symptoms associated with
exposure to electromagnetic fields among University students," Bioelectromagnetics, vol. 28, pp. 326-330, 2007.
[9] S. M. J. Mortazavi, "Safety Issue of Mobile Phone Base Stations " J Biomed Phys Eng, vol. 3, pp. 1-2, 2013.
[10] S. M. J. Mortazavi, "Adaptive responses after exposure to cosmic and natural terrestrial radiation," Indian Journal of
Radiation Research, pp. 104-112, 2004.
[11] S. M. J. Mortazavi, A. R. Tavasoli, F. Ranjbari, and P. Moamaei, "Effects of Laptop Computers' Electromagnetic Field
on Sperm Quality," Journal of Reproduction and Infertility, vol. 11, pp. 251-258, 2011.
[12] S. M. Mortazavi, S. Vazife-Doost, M. Yaghooti, S. Mehdizadeh, and A. Rajaie-Far, "Occupational exposure of dentists to
electromagnetic fields produced by magnetostrictive cavitrons alters the serum cortisol level," J Nat Sci Biol Med, vol. 3, pp. 60-
4, Jan 2012.
[13] S. M. Mortazavi, E. Daiee, A. Yazdi, K. Khiabani, A. Kavousi, R. Vazirinejad, et al., "Mercury release from dental
amalgam restorations after magnetic resonance imaging and following mobile phone use," Pak J Biol Sci, vol. 11, pp. 1142-6, Apr
15 2008.
[14] S. M. J. Mortazavi, M. Neghab, S. M. H. Anooshe, N. Bahaeddini, G. Mortazavi, and P. Neghab, "High Magnetic Flux[14] S. M. J. Mortazavi, M. Neghab, S. M. H. Anooshe, N. Bahaeddini, G. Mortazavi, and P. Neghab, "High Magnetic Flux
MRI Accelerates Release of Mercury from Dental Amalgam Fillings," THEIJOEM, 2014.
[15] S. M. J. Mortazavi, M. Neghab, S. M. H. Anoosheh, N. Bahaeddini, G. Mortazavi, P. Neghab, et al., "High-field MRI
and Mercury release from dental amalgam fillings," International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 5,
pp. 101-105, 2014.
[16] S. M. J. Mortazavi and G. Mortazavi, "Effects of X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging on mercury release from
dental amalgam into artificial saliva," Oral Radiology, pp. 1-2, 2014/09/30 2014.
[17] Mortazavi, G and Mortazavi, SMJ (in press) Amalgam contact hypersensitivity lesion: An unusual presentation-report of a
rare case. Annals of medical and health sciences research.
[18] Mortazavi, G, Jarideh, S, Mozdarani, H, and Mortazavi, SMJ (in press) Is Increased Mercury Release Due to Exposure
to Electromagnetic Fields a Limiting Factor for Using Dental Amalgam? . IJRR.
[19] Mortazavi, G, Haghani, M, Rastegarian, N, Zarei, S, and Mortazavi, S (2015) Increased Release of Mercury from Dental
Amalgam Fillings due to Maternal Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields as a Possible Mechanism for the High Rates of Autism in
the Offspring: Introducing a Hypothesis. Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering.
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ
Mortazavi (Ph.D) 44

45. Thank you!
Ghazal Mortazavi (DDs) and SMJ Mortazavi (Ph.D)
45