EU faces pressure to ban mercury from mouths

By Anna Stablum - Analysis

LONDON (Reuters) - Mercury is a known poison that can damage the nervous system, so why is it still being used to fill cavities in peoples' teeth?

The European Union is grappling with this issue as it faces pressure to ban mercury-bearing "amalgams" that some patients' organisations say are dangerous, and counterarguments from dentists and some governments, who say the material is safer and more durable than alternatives.

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 debate gives rise to strong emotions, particularly from anyone who has suffered from mercury poisoning.

"I was off work for 18 months and had a telephone directory of symptoms," said UK coordinator Michele Payne of the worldwide organisation D.A.M.S. (Dental Amalgam Mercury Syndrome).

Mercury, which accounts for 50 percent of an amalgam filling, cannot be degraded and persists in soil, water and living organisms and while high doses can be fatal, relatively low doses have been linked to adverse neuro-development impacts.

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.

The amount may seem small, but it works out to 1,225 tonnes of mercury in the mouths of the population of Europe.