New Haven Register, Editorial
September 26, 2005
Recognizing the environmental threat posed by mercury, the state legislature in 2002 banned with some exceptions the sale of products containing mercury.
Mercury thermometers and batteries disappeared from store shelves. Under the law, the state ordered the withdrawal in 2004 of cereal boxes that contained a toy with a mercury button battery.
Despite the law, some state dentists persist in using "silver" fillings that are as much as 50 percent mercury. The use of these fillings is supported by the state dental association, which asserts the fillings are cheap, inert and no threat to human health.
Under the new law, dentists must collect unused mercury and install separators on dental drains. About 95 percent of the waste filling is caught. Still, 5 percent of the mercury, a neuro-toxin, goes down the drain.
At least one study found that mercury vapors are released from dental fillings, although not enough to cause harm. The mercury in these fillings may find its way into the air or water as they wear or are replaced. Cremation accounts for much of the dental mercury pollution.
Gina McCarthy, the state’s commissioner of environmental protection, has ruled that the state mercury ban does not apply to dental fillings.
The language of the law and the legislative intent seem clear that the ban applied to the fillings. Environmental groups promise a court appeal of McCarthy’s decision. After her ruling, the House chairman of the legislature’s Environment Committee, Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, reiterated that it was the legislature’s intent for the ban to eliminate mercury fillings.
Despite McCarthy’s ruling, mercury or "silver" fillings are on their way out. Composite resin fillings that work as well, match a tooth’s color and pose no potential health or environmental hazard are replacing them.
The environmental threat from mercury dental fillings may be comparatively small. But, there is no substantial reason why it should be tolerated. The fillings should be banned.
©New Haven Register 2005