More than 137 Civil Society Organisations (SCOs) individuals and professionals from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri lanka, Pakistan and Thailand have signed a declaration to end the use of mercury in dental care.
This comes up as a follow up to Minamata Convention on phasing out of use of Mercury. Amalgam fillings are 50% mercury, a major neurotoxin. However alternatives to this are now affordable, effective, and available in the signatory countries. Toxics link, that works for elimination of hazardous waste, represented India.
The declaration that was made in Dhaka in November last year was adopted by the organisations in January this year. It advocates for Asia to phase out dental amalgam. The declaration highlights that mercury is a restorative material which is a notorious heavy metal of global concern that is known to be a potent poison of the human nervous system.
By adapting this declaration South and Southeast Asian CSOs express their concern and said, “We are calling on Asia to end the use of mercury-based dentistry. Asia is the most densely populated continent on the planet and, therefore, risks incredible harm to human health and the environment,” said Satish Sinha from Toxics link.
The call has further exhorted the Asian countries to declare that all the people of Asia have a basic human right to mercury-free dental care and a mercury-free environment.