Congresswoman Diane Watson
Mercury is a neurological poison affecting brain tissue. Mercury fillings are associated with effects on the central nervous system that include behavioral, motor and cognitive changes. These changes are also associated with HD. In adults, brain damage is focal affecting the function of such areas as the cerebellum (ataxia) and the visual cortex (constricted visual fields).
Some dentists defend mercury fillings and sell them as silver fillings. HDL Proactive folks will avoid mercury contaminated fish and mercury fillings. If you have "silver fillings" you may want to consider replacing them with a safe alternative.--Jerry 03-Nov-01
Consumers for Dental Choice Press Release 02-Nov-01
Congresswoman Diane Watson |
Congresswoman Watson has a long record of working for disclosure of the risks of Mercury-based dental fillings. While a California State Senator in 1992, Rep. Watson authored a first-of-its-kind law that requires the state Dental Board to issue a ``Fact Sheet'' on the risks of Mercury. Similar laws have since been adopted in Arizona and Maine.
In California over the past six months, the issue of Mercury-based dental fillings has become a subject of major controversy (see coverage at Consumers for Dental Choice's web site, www.toxicteeth.net).
| In June, consumer groups filed suit against the American and California Dental Associations for deceptively referring to mercury-based fillings as "silver" and for secretly accepting payments from Mercury amalgam manufacturers while endorsing their product as safe. |
In September the California Legislature voted to abolish the Dental Board and replace it with an entirely new Board, largely because of its refusal for nearly ten years to adopt a Fact Sheet that properly warned of the dangers of Mercury fillings. Governor Davis signed the bill into law last month (along with a bill outlawing Mercury thermometers), saying ``Mercury is a persistent and toxic pollutant that bioaccumulates in the environment ...''
``It is no longer a question of if, but when, Mercury dental fillings will be history,'' said Congresswoman Watson. ``Mercury has been -- or is being -- removed from all other health care uses, including in thermometers, vaccines and disinfectants. It is politically and medically illogical to be removing Mercury from all other medical uses and at the same time continuing to place it in peoples' mouths.''
Mercury poses a particular risk to children and pregnant women, as well as other subpopulations (e.g. people with kidney disease or who wear braces). A 1999 government report (by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry of the United States Public Health Service) says that the Mercury vapors from fillings go to the brain, which puts a child's developing brain at the most risk. The report further states that the Mercury goes through the placenta into the developing embryo and that it goes through the mother's breast milk into the baby.
While the American Dental Association still supports using Mercury fillings (and in fact receives a fee from Mercury amalgam manufacturers for endorsing their product), there is increasing opposition to the continued use of Mercury among dentists and other dental professionals. For example, smaller groups such as the Carmel-based American Academy of Biological Dentistry and the Orlando-based International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology support an end to Mercury amalgam.