"EU faces pressure to ban mercury from mouths" Wed Jul 25, 2007
report by Anna Stablum - Analysis.

Extract
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Reuters News Agency report today that the EU is under pressure to ban
mercury-bearing "amalgams" that some patients' organisations say are
dangerous. Dentists and some government bodies say amalgams are safer
and more durable than the alternatives, but critics say that this is
really about keepimg costs low for the NHS.

The EU has commissioned two working groups to report back by year's
end, one on mercury's effects on the environment and the other on the
link between amalgams and human health.

The Reuters report says: "Most countries advise against use of
amalgam for children and pregnant women due to its negative effects
on brain development, but patient organisations believe the rest of
the population, carrying an average of 2.5 grams in their mouths, is
also at risk." This works out at 1,225 tonnes of mercury in the
mouths of the population of Europe!

"The list of effects from mercury poisoning goes from mild tremors
due to neurological damage and kidney problems to autism and even
Alzheimers, according to advocates for a European ban."

You can read the full Reuters report here:
http://uk.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=UKL2319134520070725