August 2, 2005

Seattle -- A coalition of environmental and health groups today applauded the Department of Ecology for announcing a plan to stop dentists from illegally disposing of dental mercury amalgam. Under the plan, Ecology will begin inspecting dental offices in September, 2005 to ensure the offices are properly disposing of mercury amalgam. Offices that are found to be out of compliance will have 30 days to comply with the law or face enforcement action.

"Ecology is doing the right thing by saying dental mercury pollution has got to go," said Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, environmental health advocate for the Washington Toxics Coalition. "Ecology's swift actions will protect Washington's children and environment from this dangerous toxin."

According to a recent Ecology survey, only seventeen percent of dentists outside of King County are complying with a state law to collect and properly dispose of mercury. The dentists' inaction comes despite a two-year voluntary agreement between Ecology and the Washington State Dental Association to conduct outreach and technical assistance to dental offices on how to install mercury amalgam separators in dental offices. As part of the agreement, Ecology agreed not to take enforcement action for the length of the agreement, which expired July 31.

Dental mercury is the largest source of mercury into wastewater systems. Mercury in dental offices comes from "silver" dental fillings, which are about 50% mercury by weight. Because sewage treatment plants cannot properly treat mercury, the mercury ends up in waterways, contaminating sediment, fish and other wildlife, and, ultimately, ending up in people's bodies.

To comply with state law, dentists will have to install mercury amalgam separators. These machines keep mercury from going down the drain.

"The cost of installing separators is relatively inexpensive when you compare the costs of dealing with life-long health effects of mercury exposure," said Sager-Rosenthal. "It's a small price to pay for safe and healthy children."

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, and liver. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to one in 10 women in the United States already carry enough mercury in their blood to pose a threat of neurological damage to the fetus.

Contact:

Ivy Sager-Rosenthal
Washington Toxics Coalition
206-632-1545 ext. 122