Author: Concorde East/West Sprl
Source: Concorde East/West Sprl, European Environmental Bureau, the Mercury Policy Project, the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology, Clean Water Action, Consumers for Dental Choice
Year: 2012
Comment:
This report evaluates the environmental impact of dental amalgam mercury and the costs required to deal with that impact.
Abstract / Excerpt:
“While its use has essentially been eliminated in many countries, dental amalgam is now being considered for a global phase-out in the ongoing mercury treaty negotiations1 and in the European Union (BIO 2012) because of significant environmental concerns. The negative effects of mercury releases related to amalgam use are widely recognized in countries where its use has been prevalent: it is often the largest source of mercury in municipal wastewater as well as an increasing source of mercury air pollution from crematoria. On the other hand, high-quality mercury-free alternatives have long been available. While most dental professionals charge lower prices for amalgam fillings than for mercury-free alternatives, this paper shows that when factoring in “external” environmental and societal costs,2 amalgam is a higher-priced dental material by far (Hylander and Goodsite 2006). Ultimately, society pays for mercury releases related to amalgam use through additional pollution control costs, the loss of common (public-owned) resources, and the health effects associated with mercury releases and contamination (MPP 2008).”
Citation:
Concorde East/West Sprl. The Real Co$t of Dental Mercury. Brussels, Belgium: the European Environmental Bureau, the Mercury Policy Project, the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology, Clean Water Action and Consumers for Dental Choice; March 2012. http://mercurypolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/real_cost_of_dental_mercury_april_2012-final.pdf