State Mercury Committee Issues Fact Sheet on Dental Amalgam Fillings

The Vermont Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution released a fact sheet today entitled: “Dental Amalgam Fillings: Environmental and Health Facts for Dental Patients.”  The fact sheet covers both health and environmental concerns related to amalgam.  “Our fact sheet encourages Vermonters to consider alternatives to amalgam that don’t contain mercury, such as composite fillings,” said Michael Bender, former ACMP chair and MMP director in a statement.  In its 2010 report, the Advisory Committee recommends that the Legislature consider prohibiting placement of amalgam in pregnant women and children.  It also recommends an eventual phase-out of mercury-containing dental amalgam by 2012, due primarily to environmental concerns.