Phase-Down of Amalgam Use in Dentistry: A Perspective For its Effective Control and Management
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 6
Abstract
Mercury pollution of the environment and its negative impacts on the health of humans had been recognized many years ago by the world community; and the contribution of dental amalgam, which contains about 50% of mercury by weight, to mercury pollution is well established. Ten percent (10%) of 300 - 400 metric tons of world’s consumption of mercury is by dental profession in the form of dental amalgam fillings. The Minamata Treaty or Convention, on control and reduction of mercury pollution, provides for amalgam phase-down over a given time-line as part of the process of total elimination of mercury use in restorative dentistry. The amalgam phase-down approach is based on the fact that outright ban on the use of dental amalgam by nations of the world may be impossible because of individual nation’s peculiarities. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review mercury pollution of the environment and discuss the challenges as well as developing a National Strategic Plan (NSP) in managing amalgam phase-down process. Introduction I will stand upon my watch and station myself on the towers; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then, the Lord replied: write down the vision and make it plain on tablets so that he that reads it may run with it. For the vision is for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie. Though it may tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come to pass; and it will not tarry [1].This scriptural quotation is given in order to capture and lay the foundation for the introductory aspect of this discourse. The first statement of this quotation can be regarded as the collective voice of the dental profession, while pondering, on how to respond to the complaint of the international community against mercury and its compounds such as dental amalgam. The complaint which the international community has against dental amalgam, which contains about 50% of mercury by weight, is that mercury, as one of the major constituents of dental amalgam, has been recognized as a notorious and dangerous chemical with negative effects on the environment and on the health of the people all over the world. This recognition of the negative impacts of mercury on people’s health and the environment led to the adoption and signing [2] by over 87 nations of the world on the 10th October, 2013 at Minamata, Japan. This treaty is the vision of the international community; and it is to control and reduce mercury pollution and its attendant negative impacts on the environment and on the health of the people around the world. This vision is for an appointed time (within a time frame). Though it may be delayed because of the recognition, by the international community, that dental amalgam cannot be banned outright by all nations of the world owing to individual nation’s peculiarities. However, the vision will speak at the end. Nonetheless, a moratorium of about ten years has been given to all nations to phase-down amalgam use; and this moratorium may delay the final exit of dental amalgam as a restorative material but its final exist will surely come to pass. The purpose of this article is to discuss the challenges and possible national strategies concerning phase-down of amalgam use in dentistry. This discourse will be treated under three broad headings namely: Background Information What Is Mercury?: Mercury is a naturally occurring metal. It is a potent neurotoxicant that negatively impacts human health and the environment around the world. It occurs as cinnabar (Hgs) in rocks and soils. It is very mobile and persistent; and it can easily make its way into the atmosphere, soil, ground water and surface waters of local, regional and more distant areas. It is a silvery-white liquid, which is highly soluble in water, freezes at -38.830C and boils at 3570C. It is the only metal which is liquid at standard room temperature [3]. Risks to Humans: Exposure to mercury can result into acute or chronic poising. Acute exposure to elemental mercury levels of 1.1 - 44micogram/m3 for 4 - 8 hours can lead to: chest pain, dyspnea, cough, haemoptysis, impaired pulmonary functions, and interstitial pneumonitis while acute exposure to mercury vapor can lead to: psychotic reactions such as delirium, hallucination and suicidal tendency. Other symptoms of occupational exposure include: erethism, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, loss of memory, depression and vivid dreams. Chronic exposure to mercury can lead to sleep disturbance, tremors and impaired cognitive skills. Fetuses and children are particularly vulnerable to mercury exposure [4-9]. Key Sources of Mercury Emissions: Mercury can be released into the environment naturally through weathering and erosion of rocks and soils, volcanic eruptions, forest fires and presence of trace amount in coal. Human activities which cause releases of mercury into the environment include coal mining, coal burning (coal fired power plants), oil powered plants, artisanal and small scale gold mining, cement production, dental amalgam (production, use, removal and waste management), mercury production mainly for batteries, pig iron and steel production, waste disposal (including municipal and hazardous waste, crematoria, sewage sludge, incinerators) and non-ferrous metal production - typically smelter [4-9].These emissions cause pollution of the environment (air, water, soil, fish, plants, animals and humans) [4-10].
Authors and Affiliations
Loto AO, Menakaya M
Keywords
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- EP ID EP572938
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000494
- Views 159
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