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In December 2010, the Food and Drug Administration convened its second scientific advisory panel on dental amalgams. Scientists yet again told the FDA that amalgam use in children, pregnant women, and hypersensitive adults must come to a halt. The toxic vapors emitted are harmful to everyone, but these groups of individuals especially suffer.
According to Campaign for Mercury Free Dentistry:
Dr. Kotagal said there is "no place for mercury in children," Dr. Ismail said "children less than 6 years of age, I would restrict it significantly," Dr. Thompson said "definitely not in pregnant women and definitely not in those below 6 years of age,"
Dr. Fleming said we need contraindications for pregnant women, and Dr. Burbacher said, "why put amalgams in children if we know they're going to live with that for the rest of their lives? And we don't know what that's going to do."
In 2009, no one on the FDA's panel agreed to the FDA's ruling - unrestricted amalgam use in children and in pregnant women. Then, in 2011, FDA Center Director Jeff Shuren - the person in charge of amalgam issues - was put in the hot seat after being confronted by dentists, consumers, and scientists. In response to the concerns voiced by the dentists, consumers, and scientists, Shuren said that the FDA would make 'an announcement by the end of the year'.
Needless to say, no such announcement has been made. Until the FDA listens to its scientists, children will continue to develop neurological system complications, and the toxic vapors will continue to toxify the environment.
The solution? Give your Congressman or Congresswoman a call and ask that he/she write the FDA on this issue. To locate the name of your Member of Congress, click here. Then phone Congress at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Member's office. Tell them how the continued use of amalgam fillings is leading to human and environmental damage.
Source: Natural Society
My father once brought home a small bottle of mercury. Poured some into a bowl, and then dared my brothers and I to try to pick it up. We spent quite some time playing with the mercury, until the novelty wore off. This was over 30 years ago. My dad was an electronics engineer and had access to lots of cool stuff. He was part of the team that developed the first motion activated toilets and hand dryers.
According to the ADA, mercury binds with the other metals in amalgam and is thus rendered harmless. Of course, that's what they say. I never liked the idea of having a substance in my mouth that turns aluminum foil into a firey screaming electrical shockwave transmitted directly to the most primordal recesses of the brain, inducing panic and a split second vision of ripping ones mouth off ones face.
As time marches on, and we learn more and more, hindsight tells me playing with mercury might not have been one of my dads better ideas. And yet, amalgam has been used for over 100 years. Yes, it may be time to discontinue it's use. There are alternatives. Pandemic? That's a little rediculous. I won't be rushing anywhere to exchange my fillings.