February 7, 2016 – The fact that they all tell Americans and advocate that mercury amalgam fillings (aka ‘silver fillings’) are safe, there is no need to worry–even when they are not. Even though the law clearly regulates mercury in the environment–in our fish, in our streams, in our light bulbs–yet amalgam material (50% elemental mercury)–is allowed to be placed just inches from the human brain. Most troubling–the US government appears to more stringently regulate other types of hazardous waste–except when put into the human body. So what does this mean for human health? It means that the government is regulating the disposal of fluorescent lightbulbs with more caution and control than the mercury based amalgams placed in ones’ mouth–a place where it can do the most harm. So why the disparate treatment?
There are a myriad of reasons for this ‘dental anomaly.’ Yet, the EPA will only regulate the wastewater coming out of dental offices–something actually quite new–where several states now mandate amalgam separators in dental office to minimize the amount of mercury contaminants finding its way downstream to a wastewater treatment plant, lake or river. Needless to say, something is amiss where agencies and professional associations that are supposed to protect and inform American citizens really don’t do their job. And, where the issue of informed consent comes into view, many consumers are not given full-disclosure of how these amalgams could impact their physical health. So why the charade? Why don’t dentists inform patients of the potential for harm? Because the American Dental Association won’t admit there could be a negative effect caused by these dental materials–even though the FDA does admit that mercury vapor from amalgams can escape to the lungs. They also admit in a limited way, that amalgams may not be suitable for sensitive individuals including children under age 6–also admitting that it bioaccumulates. Perhaps one reason is the recent litigation in the field of toxic torts. Recent litigation that opens the door–showing amalgam material can and does cause harm, in certain situations in some people. For more on ‘Toxic Amalgams,’ watch our ‘two-part’ series: Toxic Teeth-Toxic Truth: Mercury, Amalgams & the FDA . Stay tuned for upcoming podcast on the first recently litigated toxic-tort amalgam case in the US , only on The Legal Edition.