There are no adverse health effects associated with the low-level amounts of mercury found in dental fillings, the FDA determined less than 18 months ago. This conclusion was supported by the American Dental Association. But after four consumer and dental groups resumed attacking mercury amalgam in dental fillings, citing hypothetical health risks, and accusing the FDA of using flawed science in approving the substance for the umpteenth time, the agency will yet again reassess the scientific basis used for its decision.
“This sounds akin to the ongoing controversy over BPA,” says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, “except that these amalgams have been used for over 150 years in hundreds of millions of people.”
Commenting that it seems as though the FDA must have a lot of time on its hands if it’s reviewing more data on the already proven safety of mercury amalgams, ACSH’s Dr. Gilbert Ross says, “Just like atrazine and BPA — chemicals that we’ve been safely using for decades — activists are now going after mercury in dental fillings. This is so 10 years ago.”
