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EPA to Let Dental Industry Regulate Self
By Associated Press
October 8, 2003, 7:13 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency does not plan to curb dental
use of mercury in tooth fillings, even though critics want dentists to do more
to reduce the amount of mercury seeping into sewage systems.
"The choice of dental treatment rests solely with dental professionals and their
patients," Geoffrey Grubbs, the EPA's director of science and technology, said
in prepared testimony for a House subcommittee Wednesday. "EPA does not intend
to second-guess these treatment decisions."
Grubbs did recommend voluntary measures that go beyond what the American Dental
Association says is necessary to reduce the amount of mercury going down the
drain in dentist offices, such as installing amalgam separators. He also
recommended the use of mercury-free fillings, but acknowledged the higher costs.
Mercury, a toxic natural material, has been eliminated from many products. But
amalgam, which combines mercury with silver, copper and tin, still is used as
tooth filling.
The ADA says amalgam separators are unnecessary because the mercury captured
would be the same substance removed during wastewater treatment.
Some city sewage officials disagree.
"Control at the source is the best way to manage such toxic metals," said David
Galvin, program manager for King County's Department of Natural Resources and
Parks, which operates Seattle's wastewater system.
The Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies estimates that dentists
contribute around 40 percent of mercury received by publicly owned sewage
treatment plants.
Grubbs said mercury concentrations in water are low, and the greatest exposure
risks come from regularly eating fish with high mercury levels.
Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., chairman of the Government Reform wellness and human
rights subcommittee, said mercury should not be used at all by dentists.
"If we didn't have mercury in our fillings, would this be a problem? Of course
not," he said.
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On the Net:
EPA mercury Web site: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/
Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies: http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/
American Dental Association: http://www.ada.org/
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press