Author: World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry

Two dozen NGOs urge European Member States to phase out amalgam use

World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry Europe

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERATwo dozen NGOs urged European Member States to phase out amalgam use in the European Union.  Their 26 May 2016 letter is reprinted below:

Dear Environment Attaches and Member State experts on mercury,

After long delays, the European Commission proposed its revised EU mercury regulation on 2 February 2016, positioning the EU to finally ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The proposed regulation updates existing EU law to conform to the Convention, but falls short in several key areas, including a new proposal that would essentially perpetuate mercury use in EU dentistry. This proposal is clearly out of step with both the spirit and intent of the treaty. Continue reading →

UNEP co-sponsors workshop to phase down amalgam use in Asian region

World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry Asia

Bangkok regional workshop May 2016The United Nations Environment Programme and the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry co-sponsored a workshop in Bangkok, Thailand to assist Asian nations working to phase down amalgam use.  Entitled “Successful Strategies to Phase Down Amalgam Use Toward Mercury-Free Dentistry,” the workshop drew government officials from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam; plus NGO leaders from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Philippines, as well as NGOs and dentists from across the region. Dr. Shahriar Hossain of the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) chaired the workshop. Continue reading →

UNEP and World Alliance urge phase down of dental amalgam use at INC7

World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry International

UNEP-World-Alliance-side-event-INC7UNEP and the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry urge governments around the world to phase down dental amalgam use at a side event during INC7 in Dead Sea, Jordan.

UNEP and World Alliance jointly organized the side event, entitled “Implementing Successful Strategies to Phase Down Amalgam Use,” to highlight effective steps governments can take to move toward mercury-free dentistry. Speakers highlighted World Alliances Mercury-Free Dentistry initiatives in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Continue reading →

Toward mercury-free dentistry

World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry International

INC 7 group photo cropped

Dental amalgam is a tooth filling material that is approximately 50% mercury, a highly polluting neurotoxin.  Today, countries around the world are phasing out the use of amalgam … and phasing up the use of mercury-free alternatives.

The World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry is pleased to work with governments and organizations to phase down amalgam use in every region. Learn about progress toward mercury-free dentistry in the posts below.  If you need assistance in your region, please contact us.

Dental mercury on American Indian reservations

World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry Americas

patient with amalgam 2The International Indian Treaty Council and Consumers for Dental Choice filed a petition calling on the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (who runs the Indian Health Service) to end the use of amalgam – a dental filling that is 50% mercury – in Indian Health Service Clinics and on Tribal lands.

“Mercury from dental amalgam and other sources has a profound effect upon traditional Native lifestyles, which value fish as an integral part of tribal culture,” says Andrea Carmen, Executive Director, International Indian Treaty Council. Continue reading →