Way is open to phase out mercury in dentistry
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- Published: Friday, 03 August 2012 08:53
- Written by News Editor
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An EU Commission study has opened the way to phasing mercury out of dentistry. A new study recommends phasing out dental amalgam use in the next five years, while improving enforcement of existing EU waste legislation. The EU and member states will now consider this recommendation. |
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The final report for the European Commission: ‘Study on the potential for reducing mercury pollution from dental amalgam and batteries’ was published on 12 July. It examines in some details three scenarios, better enforcement of waste legislation, encouraging member states to take national measures to reduce amalgam use and promote the use of alternatives and lastly an outright ban on amalgam to take effect in 2018.
It will be considered by the Council of European Dentists, but the final decision will be made by the European Commission. Sweden has already phased out dental mercury, while Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Italy have all significantly reduced amalgam use. Others, including Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria, either have restrictions or guidance on amalgam in place.
Many EU and US dentists are already using alternatives to dental mercury like composite and glass ionomer. As the report explains, "Unlike dental amalgam, mercury-free materials have been the subject of continuous technical improvements in the past years and this trend is expected to continue."
The report noted that mercury-free fillings appear more expensive than amalgam because the negative external costs associated with management of amalgam waste and effluents are not factored into the market price.
Reference: Study on the potential for reducing mercury pollution from dental amalgam and batteries, Final report prepared for the European Commission - DG ENV, BIO Intelligence Service (2012). http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/mercury/pdf/Final_report_11.07.12.pdf
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