Over the past year, we embarked on a third front to ban mercury fillings -- the workplace.  We have our health and environmental arguments; to that, we add workplace safety.  The best -- the only -- way to protect dentists and dental workers from mercury exposure is to ban amalgam … heavens knows they get enough exposure through the removals, which must go on for another generation. 

We petitioned the NJ Labor Commissioner to issue an “Alert” to dentists, and met with his staff.  Since our request remains pending, Senator Ronald Rice (D-Newark) wrote the Commissioner seeking action.  Media interest grows -- see my five-minute interview after being selected a “ New Jersey newsmaker”: www.toxicteeth.org/natcamp_CN8_interview_2008.cfm

Our petition to Cal-OSHA* likewise drew media interest: www.toxicteeth.org/Cal-OSHA-Rprtr-Mar.08.pdf.  At a hearing in March in Los Angeles, we presented a record so extensive it could help with this cause anywhere in the world.  It included parallel petitions by Consumers for Dental Choice, www.toxicteeth.org/Petition-Brown-Cal-OSHA-2008.pdf , and by Jeff Green of San Diego (who runs Citizens for Safe Drinking Water), www.toxicteeth.org/Petition-Green-Cal-OSHA-2008.pdf.  Working as a team, Jeff argued for standards while I argued for a ban.  Dr. David Kennedy presented scientific testimony, www.toxicteeth.org/Testimony-Kennedy-Cal-OSHA-2008.pdf .    Anita Vazquez Tibau, California director of Consumers for Dental Choice, testified on behalf of the late Debbie Seltenreich, a dental assistant and major advocate for our cause; www.toxicteeth.org/Testimony-Seltenriech-OSHA-2008.pdf.  Debbie became so mercury toxic that, tragically, she took her life in 2005.  Also testifying forcefully were former Dental Board of California public member Kevin J. Biggers; former Dental Board of California dentist member Dr. Chet Yokoyama; and advocate Victoria DaCosta, R.D.H.   Since then, Dr. Kennedy and Jeff Green have met with the Cal-OSHA staff.  I am headed to Oakland and Sacramento next week where, joined by the reputable organization Worksafe, I will be presenting our cause to state officials.    

(*Cal-OSHA = California Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  About half the states have OSHAs.)

We brought FDA to task because we first built a track record in the states, with fact sheet laws.  Likewise, we need to show success in the states before going federal on the workplace safety issue.

Charlie

PS--On this day, 11 November 2008, we salute our nation’s veterans, and our nation’s active-duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines.

Charles G. Brown, National Counsel
Consumers for Dental Choice
316 F St., N.E., Suite 210 , Washington, DC 20002  
Ph. 202.544-6333; fax 202.544-6331  
charlie@toxicteeth.org
Working for mercury-free dentistry