In the interest of public health, the use of mercury in dental fillings must be banned in the EU, the European Parliament environment committee said in Brussels on Thursday 13 October.
Going along with the recommendations of rapporteur Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL, Germany) on the revision of the European directive on mercury (and repealing Regulation 1102/2008) the committee called for a ban – unless there is a medical opinion to the contrary – on dental fillings which contain mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal, by December 2022 and for mercury waste to be stabilised in its least dangerous form before permanent storage under strict rules.
Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, Netherlands), delighted with this outcome, pointed out that over 75 tonnes of mercury were used in dentistry every year, 24% of all the mercury used in the EU, and that mercury is to be found in water. “We cannot continue to tolerate this health risk when proven alternatives exist. Indeed, 66% of dental fillings today do not contain mercury”, he observed.
“Parliament is in the van of protection of citizens against the harmful effects of mercury on health and the environment. The EU has to set an example by encouraging sensible use of mercury and promoting alternative technologies. But we have to work with our companies in this, not impose sanctions on them”, stated Michel Dantin (EPP, France), going onto criticise the “ideological posturing” of the GUE/NGL.
Revision of the regulation seeks to bring EU legislation into line with the United Nations Minimata Convention, signed in 2013. MEPs and the European Commission call for swift ratification of this convention by the EU and its member states (see EUROPE 11482). Negotiations will begin with the Council as early as the end of the year with the aim of securing first reading adoption of the text and ratification of the convention at the start of 2017. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)