Worldwide Mercury Ban to Include Amalgam

Will There Be A Ban on Mercury and Amalgam

The UN is pushing for a worldwide phase-out of mercury by 2020. In a treaty signed by 114 countries, this included the reduction in use and ultimate phase-out of dental mercury amalgam fillings.

Banning Dental Amalgam

Of the recommendations, the one that sparked extensive debate was a dental amalgam.

The Zero Mercury Working Group, a coalition of environmental and health organisations, led the charge to include amalgam in the convention by pointing out that it is a significant source of mercury emissions from cremated human remains and amalgam waste washed down the drain. The convention “phases down”—gradually reduces but doesn’t eliminate—the use of mercury-containing dental amalgam by directing countries to adopt at least two control measures from a list of nine options.

When Will Mercury Dental Amalgam Be Banned?

But the UN has given the dental profession a get out clause though as this is to happen within a reasonable time frame – yet no time frame was issued. On a more positive note, they did give 9 recommendations – which include

1. To phase down the use of amalgam fillings
2. To stop training dentists to use amalgam and retrain those that do use it to be skilled in alternative materials
3. For dental insurance companies to pay dentists for using non-amalgam fillings – for example in the USA insurance companies will only pay on amalgams so people do not choose the option of a non-amalgam filling due to cost.

Will amalgam be banned in my lifetime – there is hope.

The convention will be used to phase out mercury in most products by 2020, including pesticides and certain batteries, light bulbs, switches, cosmetics, and measuring devices.

At this time work continues by organisations and enlightened dentists to lobby the UN and the dental professions regulatory bodies to adopt a total ban on the use of amalgam.