Posted by leeran on April 30, 2003, at 18:21:56
In reply to Quackwatch says it is a haox, posted by stjames on April 30, 2003, at 16:03:13
I've seen the Quackwatch information. I saw it while doing my overall research on the subject. I've posted some of the links below.
The primary reason I responded on this thread was because I just went through all this in the last few weeks with a broken back molar (and a broken amalgam filling that is in need of replacement).
Actually, the statement regarding mercury for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (a division of the Center for Disease Control) played a part in my decision, but so did reading information from the following government agencies and/or links.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs46.html
In November 2002 the House of Representatives listened to these two addresses, which I found interesting when I was researching my options:
http://www.house.gov/reform/richardson.02.11.14.htm
http://www.house.gov/reform/haley.02.11.14.htm
This is a link from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
http://www.epa.gov/seahome/mercury/src/ways.htm;
This EPA page (below) defines mercury as a neurotoxin -
http://www.epa.gov/seahome/mercury/src/effects.htm
This is copied and pasted directly from the EPA website:
"Humans are exposed to mercury primarily through ingestion of fish that contain methylmercury. Inhalation of mercury vapors is a potential occupational risk in industries that process or use mercury. Skin contact with materials containing organic mercury and elemental mercury may also result in mercury exposure. People with dental amalgams that contain mercury have greater exposure."
Basically, I made my own decision based on the results of several searches from what I felt were reliable enough sources, as well as the recommendation from my dentist. I feel comfortable with the course of action I am taking (but I'm never comfortable with paying an outrageous price for an alternative material that is covered by our dental insurance).
It will be interesting to see how all this progresses over the next ten years. I guess the optimal course of action would be "cavity free" from childhood on.
poster:leeran
thread:223248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223503.html