Proposed Warnings Have Been Kept Secret for More Than Three Years
WASHINGTON – For the first time the Food and Drug Administration has proposed curbing dentists’ use of mercury in treating Americans’ decayed teeth. This would be a major step forward in protecting Americans from one of the planet’s nastiest toxins.
It would be – if senior U.S. health officials hadn’t put the kibosh on the proposal after a cost-benefit analysis by officials at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The proposal, which was approved by FDA officials in late 2011 and kept under wraps ever since, would have advised dentists not use mercury fillings when treating cavities in pregnant women, nursing moms, children under 6 and people with mercury allergies, kidney diseases or neurological problems. It even went so far as to urge dentists that when considering using mercury fillings, the best course of action is simply not to – ever.
For your convenience, we have attached the FDA’s recommendations here – please share far and wide: FDA 2012 Safety Communication Mercury
