October 22, 2013
Delegates Pay Tribute to Hundreds Killed by Mercury Dumping
October 22, 2013
Story at-a-glance
- A legally binding international treaty to control the use of toxic mercury has been signed into action
- The treaty is being hailed as marking the beginning of the end for dental amalgam around the world, as it mandates that each nation phase down amalgam use
- Each country must do at least two phase down steps, such as promoting the use of mercury-free alternatives to amalgam, changing dental insurance to favor mercury-free fillings, and re-training dentists
- The treaty was signed in Minamata, Japan, a city where hundreds of residents have died, and thousands have become ill, due to excessive mercury poisoning
- The treaty also requires the phasing out of many other mercury-containing products, including thermometers, by 2020
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The Long-Overdue End Is Near for Dental Amalgam
The Long-Overdue End Is Near for Dental Amalgam
- Releasing mercury during production: Mercury is released into the environment when amalgam is manufactured.
- Endangering dental professionals: Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental office staff are exposed to mercury during and after amalgam preparation.
- Deceiving dental patients: Most dental patients are not informed that amalgam is 50 percent or more mercury – many are told that amalgams are "silver fillings."
- Damaging healthy tooth structure: To place an amalgam, a significant amount of healthy tooth matter must be removed – permanently damaging the tooth structure.
- Exposing patients to mercury: Amalgam continues to release mercury after it is implanted in your body, and can even cross the placenta to reach unborn babies.
- Fracturing teeth: Amalgam expands and contracts over time, leading to cracked teeth and hefty dental bills.
- Polluting the environment: Sooner or later, most of the mercury from amalgam ends up in air, soil, and water via numerous unsound pathways.
- Contaminating fish: Once in the environment, amalgam can convert to methylmercury, contaminate fish, and wind up on your dinner plate.
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