Mercury – What a Difference a Week Makes:
Hey Folks – Some major developments in mercury. First the original bill was split in half – dental mercury-amalgam is still H 121. But the thermostat portion of the bill has become a separate committee bill – and will get its own number soon. Second– We had to make some compromises on H 121, but we hope to strengthen the bill again in another committee.
So, where do we stand? H 121 was unanimously approved by the House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee – the committee members worked hard and heard a lot of testimony – please thank them when you have a chance. The compromise - H 121 now requires dentists to have patients sign a consent form before receiving each procedure involving dental mercury-amalgam. It no longer contains the “outright” ban on dental mercury-amalgam BUT - see what you think about the informed consent, which reads as follows: "Dental amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury, a highly toxic element with potential human risks. Such product should not be administered to a child under 6 years of age or younger, pregnant women, or lactating women.”
Wow! This is powerful language and a great first step. Even a lobbyist for the Vermont Dental Society stated in the paper today that the wording implied a ban. Interesting enough, the E.D. for the Dental Society said dentists are worried that the wording might “scare them [patients] away from using amalgam.”
You think? We wonder, why dentists are afraid to let their patients have fully informed consent. Could it be that patients might realize that mercury placed in their mouths will get into their blood stream? Could it be that patients might be upset that they were never told before that their amalgam dental fillings contained mercury? The American Dental Association states, on an obscure section of their website, that mercury vapor may be released from chewing and grinding your teeth. And the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) states on their website: “When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing.”
Hmmm, yes, this might dissuade someone from using mercury-amalgam fillings.
So, next steps. The bill is now likely to go to the House Human Services Committee. The other bill, on thermostat recycling, was also approved by the committee and provides for a $5 cash incentive for contractors that bring in old thermostats that contain mercury. Since current rates of recycling old thermostats are very low, we anticipate that this new change will dramatically raise the rates of recycling, thus preventing more mercury from ending up in landfills which becomes mercury released into our environment. More updates soon. Hey – have fun at your Town Meeting Next Week!
Lead:
Quick note - the ban on lead in consumer products bill, S. 152, was just introduced yesterday by Senator Lyons. Here’s the link for the bill.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/S-152.HTM
When it lands in a committee, we’ll let you know more.
So, where do we stand? H 121 was unanimously approved by the House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee – the committee members worked hard and heard a lot of testimony – please thank them when you have a chance. The compromise - H 121 now requires dentists to have patients sign a consent form before receiving each procedure involving dental mercury-amalgam. It no longer contains the “outright” ban on dental mercury-amalgam BUT - see what you think about the informed consent, which reads as follows: "Dental amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury, a highly toxic element with potential human risks. Such product should not be administered to a child under 6 years of age or younger, pregnant women, or lactating women.”
Wow! This is powerful language and a great first step. Even a lobbyist for the Vermont Dental Society stated in the paper today that the wording implied a ban. Interesting enough, the E.D. for the Dental Society said dentists are worried that the wording might “scare them [patients] away from using amalgam.”
You think? We wonder, why dentists are afraid to let their patients have fully informed consent. Could it be that patients might realize that mercury placed in their mouths will get into their blood stream? Could it be that patients might be upset that they were never told before that their amalgam dental fillings contained mercury? The American Dental Association states, on an obscure section of their website, that mercury vapor may be released from chewing and grinding your teeth. And the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) states on their website: “When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing.”
Hmmm, yes, this might dissuade someone from using mercury-amalgam fillings.
So, next steps. The bill is now likely to go to the House Human Services Committee. The other bill, on thermostat recycling, was also approved by the committee and provides for a $5 cash incentive for contractors that bring in old thermostats that contain mercury. Since current rates of recycling old thermostats are very low, we anticipate that this new change will dramatically raise the rates of recycling, thus preventing more mercury from ending up in landfills which becomes mercury released into our environment. More updates soon. Hey – have fun at your Town Meeting Next Week!
Lead:
Quick note - the ban on lead in consumer products bill, S. 152, was just introduced yesterday by Senator Lyons. Here’s the link for the bill.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/S-152.HTM
When it lands in a committee, we’ll let you know more.
Labels: environmental health, lead, legislation
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