The call for a UK-wide ban on mercury dental fillings has gained momentum, with new evidence highlighting the alarming levels of mercury contamination in British fish and shellfish. This issue is particularly concerning as mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect multiple bodily systems, even at low exposure levels. Its organic form, methylmercury, poses an even greater risk, especially to unborn babies, as it accumulates through the food chain, impacting insects, fish, and birds.
Britain finds itself lagging behind many other countries in phasing out mercury fillings, with 43 nations, including the EU, having already banned mercury amalgam. While Northern Ireland plans to outlaw mercury fillings by 2035, the rest of Britain has no such ban in sight.
A recent analysis by the Rivers Trust and Wildlife and Countryside Link reveals that over 98% of fish and mussels tested in English rivers and coastal waters contain mercury levels exceeding the EU's proposed safety limits, with more than half containing more than five times the recommended safe level.
Dr Rob Collins, director of policy and science at the Rivers Trust, emphasizes the detrimental impact of mercury on wildlife, stating, "Mercury can have really detrimental impacts on wildlife and is known to build up in the food chain, affecting species from fish and otters to buzzards." He urges the government to take swift action to address mercury pollution, given the high levels detected in English rivers and coastal waters.
Mercury from dental fillings enters the environment primarily through crematorium emissions, where vaporized metal is released into the air during cremation. This mercury then settles on land and washes into rivers and seas. According to Environment Agency data, crematoriums are the second-largest source of mercury emissions to the air, after fuel combustion.
Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, argues that banning mercury fillings is a straightforward and cost-effective way to reduce pollution, benefiting both river cleanliness and struggling wildlife. He calls on the UK government to commit to a phase-out, noting that a global deal to this effect will be discussed at the upcoming Minamata convention on mercury in November 2025.
African nations, such as Botswana and Burkina Faso, are leading the call for a global phase-out of dental amalgam by 2030. UK groups are urging Defra to support this proposal and align Northern Ireland's timeline with the rest of the UK.
However, Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, disagrees, stating, "Dental amalgam is a tried and tested material, and pulling the plug without a transition period would effectively bankrupt NHS dentistry. Amalgam separators are already in use in every dental practice in Britain to manage this risk. We would encourage crematoria to make use of available technology to do the same."
Campaigners refute the financial arguments for keeping amalgam, pointing out that mercury fillings have already been restricted for pregnant women and children due to developmental risks. They argue that countries like Germany have successfully replaced mercury fillings with safer alternatives at only a marginally higher cost.
The government maintains its commitment to protecting public health and the environment through the strict management of dental amalgam, describing it as a safe and effective filling material. They acknowledge the potential harm of mercury in large volumes and highlight the strict controls in place to minimize environmental impacts.
Policy on dental amalgam is devolved across the UK, with a clear direction to restrict and phase down its use. The government is updating crematorium guidance under its environmental improvement plan to cut mercury emissions and is reviewing the future use of dental amalgam across the UK before the Minamata convention, considering Northern Ireland exemptions and the EU phase-out.
Mike Birkinshaw, CEO of the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, notes that the FBCA has been working with the Cremation Society of Great Britain for 11 years on a mercury abatement scheme. In 2024, 253 out of 338 crematoriums participated, and many now use full abatement systems, exceeding Defra's 50% target set in 2012.
Birkinshaw adds that the FBCA is awaiting updated guidance, which is expected to require all crematoria to abate all their mercury emissions within three years of publication. The sector is committed to reducing these harmful emissions as soon as possible.
This issue raises important questions about the balance between public health, environmental protection, and economic considerations. What do you think? Should the UK ban mercury dental fillings, and if so, what steps should be taken to ensure a smooth transition and minimize the impact on the dental industry and public health?
