Mercury Fillings could Contaminate Your Fish Supper

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Mercury amalgam fillings could contaminate the fish you eat, as well as costing the taxpayer more and harming the environment, a panel of researchers has revealed.

The panel, which was made up of health, environmental and consumer groups, published a study, which claims that mercury fillings are not a cost-friendly alternative to tooth-coloured fillings when external factors are taken into consideration.

Michael Bender, Director of the Mercury Policy Project, said that the research shows that using mercury fillings is not a cost-effective measure and also added that the use of mercury is prevalent in the USA, with an estimated 32 tonnes used every year in America.

The study, which was arranged by Concorde East/West Sprl, a consulting firm based in Brussels, revealed how much mercury costs society as a result of the costs of controlling pollution and treating health problems. Researchers concluded that mercury fillings are significantly more expensive than tooth coloured fillings when all factors are taken into account.

Cyndi Luppi, New England Director for Clean Water Action, said that the only real way of stopping mercury getting into the water supply and the fish we consume is to prevent it from getting there in the first place.

Mercury fillings have been phased out in many countries already, but statistics show that amalgam fillings are still commonly used in the USA.

 

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