According to the report, annual use of mercury by the dental
sector in India
stands around 65 tonnes, where 49 tonnes gets into cavities and 16.2 tonnes is
mostly thrown into the environment as non-contact amalgam.
Says Toxic Link associate director Satish Sinha: “An
expected addition of 6,500 dentist by the National Rural Health Mission could
lead to increased mercury consumption by approximately 11.2 tonnes annually. A
major shift has been seen in the metropolitan and other cities in India ,
where the use of amalgam fillings has largely been replaced by alternatives.”
Contamination
“The scenario in the rural sector, however, was quite
different as per the survey. This is where the policy intervention is required
to gradually shift from mercury to alternatives. It is very important to save
the next generation, our children from the deadly toxic effects of mercury,”
says Mr. Sinha.
The study further reveals that the estimated annual mercury
release due to removal or replacement of old fillings (contact amalgam) is 66
tonnes. This entire amount would mostly end up in municipal bins and thus soil
and groundwater contamination. These two mediums are also rich in
micro-organisms responsible for methylation of mercury. “All this would lead to
bioaccumulation and bio-magnifications of mercury in the food chain. Mercury
accumulates in the muscle tissues and is neuron and nephrotoxic substance.
Other than this, several studies have linked it to cancers and immune system
disorders,” says Mr. Sinha.
Children of women consuming sea food are more likely to
develop learning disabilities due to exposure to mercury. Many countries have
banned mercury fillings in children and pregnant women and it is time India
takes a stance to protect this vulnerable population, says the study.
The Hindu, June 7, 2012.
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