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 Mercury used in dental fillings often ends up in the environment, e.g. by release into the soil via burial, or by direct emission into the atmosphere following cremation, (DTI/Photo courtesy of Julian Chen)
Jun 21, 2011 | EUROPEEuropean Commission reviews environmental aspects of mercury in dental fillingsBRUSSELS, Belgium: The European Commission has decided to examine the risks of using mercury in amalgam fillings. As some member states have already restricted the use of dental amalgam substantially, the Commission wants to assess this issue in detail with due consideration of all relevant aspects of its life cycle. The study is to be concluded in June 2012. The focus of the study is on the environmental rather than on the health aspects of dental amalgam. While scientific debate on the potential health effects of the use of dental amalgam is still controversial, the need for proper management of dental amalgam waste is not disputed. It is expected that a significant quantity of mercury originating from dental fillings, estimated at over 1,000 tonnes for the entire EU population, will probably ultimately end up in the environment, e.g. by release into the soil via burial, or even by direct emission into the atmosphere following cremation, unless relevant policy measures are considered. Dental Tribune ONLINE has learned that the Commission recently awarded a contract to a consultant to investigate the current situation in relation to the quantity of mercury used in dental amalgam in the EU and identify measures that could reduce its environmental impact. The study’s findings will be presented and discussed during a workshop in Brussels in March 2012 and potential stakeholders will have the opportunity to give feedback. According to the European Commission, interested parties are welcome to provide input during the process and express their interest in participating in the workshop. The Commission will take the results of the study into account, as well as relevant international developments, before proceeding with potential policy measures. Under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme, discussions on the reduction of mercury use are also taking place internationally. Negotiations, in which the European Commission represents the EU, started in 2010 and shall be completed by 2013. Dental amalgam is amongst the products currently discussed as potential candidates for being regulated. JOIN THE DISCUSSIONShow all discussions |
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3 COMMENTS
Placing amalgam in todays world should be considered as crimes against humanity, it is almost murder of another person. Yes homicide, slowly leeching mercury a globally proven powerful neurotoxin placed one BILLION times a year in the United States. Hello, Why has it been banned in Europe for over 30 years ? Why do we have so much Alzheimers and Autism ? Wake up my fellow Americans and act fast. BAN MERCURY NOW. Dr. Sasha Winderbaum.
How long do we have to delay the inevitable for the sake of a few vested interests. Mercury is the third most toxic substance known after arsenic and lead. It does not break down in the environment. The NOEL for mercury is zero. Better alternatives have been available for years. Mercury amalgam is the most tooth destructive material used in dentistry. There is NO reason to continue its use and it should be banned immediately.
This is most exciting news...as a stakeholder in these negotiations we have been working long and hard to finally see the end use of mercury in dentistry...The new composite materials and technology exist and ART is the solution for developing countries...The thing we must remember when thinking about why we should ban mercury in dentistry is the eternal environmental impact once it is released. Unfortunately, so much of the dental mercury is being illegally diverted to small scale gold miners throughout the developing countries and those places will be lost forever due to the massive contamination...After watching and listening to survivors of Minamata disease, (the first internationally recognized mercury contaminated site in Minamata, Japan) I say shame on us for allowing mercury to be used ever again in any application....How much longer to we have to wait to do the right thing? The time is now! I am hoping that some of my colleagues who have been fighting this fight for 50 years or more will see the end in their lifetime... Anita Vazquez Tibau Vice President of the Americas World Alliance for Mercury Free Dentistry