The United States government is taking the lead in the global mercury treaty calling for a comprehensive reduction in all sources of mercury use.
The U.S. is in negotiations with other countries around the globe to finalize a United Nations treaty on mercury in the environment.
In the treaty the U.S. supports:
- The elimination of primary mercury mining
- Export restrictions to reduce the supply of elemental mercury in commerce
- Environmentlly sound storage for every country
- Phase down and eventual phase out of mercury used in:
- Batteries
- Measuring devices
- Electric switches and relays
- Mercury containing lamps
- Dental amalgams
The treaty development process is still ongoing but this U.S. leadership in the phase down of mercury in our enviroment and eventual phase out of mercury amalgams in dentistry is a big first step.
Maybe soon all dentists will be mercury-free and using alternative materials such as: resins, porcelians, golds, and zirconia materials that are already available.
Stay tune for regular updates to these negotiations and our next e
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