© Nadezhda Chipeva
The European Commission proposed on Friday a ban on the use of dental amalgam in dentistry from the beginning of 2025. The reason is that it contains mercury, which is a highly toxic metal that damages human health.
Exposure to high levels of mercury can cause damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys, and immune system, especially in unborn and young children.
Amalgam is an alloy obtained by mixing mercury and another metal. Mercury-silver amalgam is used in dentistry.
Amalgam fillings are the oldest method of closing dental defects. Annually in the EU, 40 tons of mercury are put into such dental fillings. According to dentists, the so-called metal fillings are the strongest and easiest to place, but they have a number of disadvantages, including the harmful effects of mercury.
In addition to a ban on the use and production of dental amalgam, the European Commission also proposes a ban on the production and export of six types of additional mercury lamps from January 1, 2026 and January 1, 2028.
The European Parliament and member states will have two months to object to the proposal, failing which it will automatically come into effect.
In 2008, the EU banned the use of mercury in thermometers, blood pressure monitors and other devices to reduce the risk of environmental pollution and the exposure of the dangerous metal to humans. The goal is for the EU to become the world’s first mercury-free economy.
A decrease in air pollution with heavy metals has been reported in Europe for the last 6 years
According to data from the European Environment Agency, 1.8 million children are born every year in Europe with elevated levels of mercury.
The most important route of human exposure to mercury is through seafood. When marine animals ingest mercury, it usually stays in their bodies and builds up over time. After the ban on mercury residual uses, the main source of mercury emissions will be solid fuels such as coal, peat, lignite and wood. Globally, the largest source of mercury is small-scale gold mining.
2023-07-14 13:35:46
#Metal #mercury #fillings #banned
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