Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Refuses to Ban Dental Amalgam

Flap previously had Connecticut Voters Say: Ban Dental Mercury.

The Hartford Courant has DEP Won’t Act To Ban Mercury Fillings.

Gina McCarthy, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, announced Thursday that the state can’t legally ban dental amalgam, a mercury-containing tooth-filling material widely used by dentists.

Environmental groups – some of which had asked the DEP to clarify the state’s position on the use of so-called “silver” fillings – responded that they would challenge the ruling. The ban they sought would have been the first in the country.

Good News for dental patients but now the BAD news…….

Adam Breiner, a Trumbull naturopath who is a spokesman for the Coalition to Enforce Connecticut’s Zero Mercury Law, an alliance of anti-amalgam groups, said that his organization was surprised by the ruling. “Our coalition presented the commissioner with a detailed legal analysis showing that the law does ban continued use of mercury amalgam fillings,” said Breiner. “We have no choice at this point. We will file a court challenge to prevent dentists from putting poison in people’s teeth.”

Dental Amalgams live or the time being…… but look for more challenges —– especially about environmental mercury propagation.

Stay tuned.

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