Kirk Watson: “dentistry must stop hiding the large presence of mercury in dental fillings. The common name for dental fillings is…”

“dentistry must stop hiding the large presence of mercury in dental fillings. The common name for dental fillings is ``silver.'' The term is deceptive because it contains more than 50 percent mercury. Who can conclusively say dental mercury is safe when in our bodies? It is undisputed as a fact that mercury vapor is released during the entire life of a mercury filling. Madam Speaker, mercury amalgam is considered dangerous when it is put in the mouth, and it is labeled a hazardous waste when it is coming out. Dental offices contribute approximately 54 tons of toxic mercury to the environment each year. Mercury hurts the body's immune system. Mercury also causes neural development problems. My bill will protect children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers immediately. We have abandoned other remnants of pre-Civil War medicine, and we have abandoned all other uses of mercury in the body. Now is the time to ban mercury in dental fillings. ____________________”