Mercury ion migration is an additional hazard to the previously known hazards.


Our new research Mercury ion migration is an additional hazard to the previously known hazards. The intensity of the ion migration depends upon the capacity of the metal powder to bind mercury ions. The major proportion of the measured voltages and currents originate as a rule from mercury ionic charges. New measurement modes. To substantiate the above we have developed new modes of measurement, i.e. the flash method indicating ionic charging, but mainly a completely new method involving a negative ionic barrier based upon the sensitivity of the mercury ions to repellent negative voltage charges. *Incidentally, it is this repelling charge effect upon the mobile negative ions in the amalgam which causes the ion migration.* Mercury vapour on the breath. The relatively high body temperature of 37° C acting upon mercury causes the mercury ions to be easily vaporised, thus in all certainty being the contributory cause of so-called "oral galvanism". This can be largely eliminated by introducing methods of testing the abilities of alloy powders to bind mercury ions. Measurement with blocked voltage from negative electrodes Our June 1984 report showed the effects of fully blocked ion migration. Since at the time of its publication we had not yet completed all the test series, we intentionally refrained from naming the main causes of the blocked ion migration, namely the influence of external negative electrodes. The method consists of applying small zinc electrodes directly to suitable parts of the skin, for instance under the heel or on the wrist, by means of adhesive tape. The total application area is 3 to 30 cm2. Zinc has a negative charge of 900 mV measured against the gold anode and acts as a repellent, temporarily slowing down the intensity of the mercury ion migration. *This method is solely effective in preventing mercury ion migration, and does not affect galvanic voltages*. It should be noted that amalgam fillings normally functioning as cathodes, switch to an anode function with respect to negative electrodes without any noticeable effect.