MERCURY AMALGAM: continued
Last week this subject was approached showing the symptoms of mercury poisoning and scientific experiments done on animals
with mercury. This week will start with my personal experience.
This subject has a personal appeal to me. For years I had numerous symptoms of mercury poisoning. Several visits to my
doctor failed to identify any detectable problem. I took it upon myself to have all of my fillings removed, regardless of
the cost, in order to improve my quality of life. After 3 full mornings in the dentist's chair with my mouth wedged open,
my 12 fillings were history.
Did my symptoms go away because of this radical decision? Well I'm really not sure. I certainly feel much better, but my
medical doctor also found that I had a low thyroid output. Since both of these things happened close together, I will never
be sure what was the major contributing factor to my ill health and subsequent well being. It was a gamble that I took, and
I would do it again.
The consensus is that it cannot be absolutely proven that the amount of mercury released from dental fillings is enough to
cause illness even in the most sensitive individual. There are many studies that suggest that even a large number of fillings
is not detrimental to health. According to the opinion of expert groups there are no medical reasons to recommend amalgam
removal because of general symptoms. It has been suggested that major problems probably only come from combining the amalgam
with industrial exposure and/or eating products with mercury in them; like predatory fish for instance.
Personally, I have difficulty believing that we should put such a known destructive product anywhere in our environment,
let alone in our mouths. Low exposure verses high exposure; I prefer no exposure.
Each year, an estimated 400 kg of mercury finds its way into the teeth of people living in Ontario or is disposed down the
drains to municipal wastewater treatment plants. Dental clinics appear to be the major contributor to the mercury collected
in sewage sludge. Many countries now legislate mercury separators in dental offices to prevent mercury from entering the
sewer system as the resultant sludge is hazardous waste and cannot be spread as fertilizer. (Canada has no such legislation
that I could find).
There are several countries that have acknowledged this problem and have restricted the use of mercury fillings in
children, girls and women of childbearing age, pregnant mothers and those with kidney disorders.
There are alternatives available to amalgam but in spite of this there has been a general reluctance to caution the
public and offer the alternatives to the patient.
In one study, it was shown that dental technicians were exposed to mercury vapour as a result of their working with
amalgam. Chronic clinical exposure to the vapour produced neurological effects which include excitation, tremors, insomnia,
vasomotor disturbances, gingivitis and kidney dysfunction.
Another pollution problem stems from cremation of human cadavers. The average cremation releases approximately 1.8 to 3.8
grams of mercury into the atmosphere.--- Even our bodies are hazardous waste!
I have to agree with the consensus that the general removal of amalgam from the mouth is probably not a good idea at this
time, and is not recommended. The wholesale removal of the metal fillings can possibly release more mercury into the body,
and the environment through the extraction process. Symptoms of poisoning may actually increase. I would however think twice
before I would sanction its use in any family member in the future.
Mercury amalgam is about 6% of the total mercury pollution problem in Ontario. Although Canada and the US have a protocol
on the elimination of mercury from the environment the process is painfully slow, like all environmental issues tend to be.
So what should we as citizens do about this situation?
1. Ask your dentist for white fillings rather than mercury based fillings. (One of the several recommendation by
Pollution Probe, Canada).
2. Write to Canada's or Ontario's Ministers for the Environment or your MPP, or MP, and tell him or her that you want
progress. (The North American Free Trade Agreement stipulates that action must be taken).
3. Support one or more of the environmental organizations that are working on your behalf and are trying to improve the
health of this planet.
4. We've got the lead out; now let's get the mercury out.
Have a nice day.
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