The Professionals' Statement Calling for an End to use of Mercury in Dental Fillings

 Statement of Support for the Phase-out of Mercury Dental Amalgam in Canada
We the concerned undersigned signatories made up of dentists, physicians, health care professionals, researchers, scientists and concerned professionals;
Recognize,  the overwhelming scientific evidence that mercury and its compounds are pollutants of global concern that threaten the health of our nation, its people, and our environment;
Understand, that mercury persists in the environment, accumulates in the food chain, and poses significant adverse effects on human health, most especially to vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the biota;
Are aware,  that mercury is used as one of the components of certain medical, dental and industrial products and processes in Canada and around the world;
Appreciate,  the efforts of the Health Canada, Environment Canada, and our government in phasing out mercury in all healthcare facilities and in participating in mercury reduction efforts both nationally and internationally. 
Acknowledge,  that in the 2011 World Health Organization (WHO) report entitled, “Future Use of Materials for Dental Restoration”, the WHO confirms that dental amalgam releases a significant amount of mercury into the environment and that the WHO commits itself to work for the reduction of mercury use and the development of a healthy environment;
Welcome,  the WHO conclusion that for many reasons the use of restorative mercury-free material alternatives to dental amalgam are desirable;
Demand,  that health professionals, including dentists, have a duty to use the “precautionary principle” when it comes to the use of mercury and mercury containing products and to not do harm to patients and to protect them and our communities from the public health threat from mercury;
We hereby with one unified voice call upon our government, especially Health Canada, Environment Canada, and Trade and Industry to take the following actions:
1. Phase-out the importation, sale, production, and use of dental amalgam in Canada at the soonest possible time.
2. Develop phase down strategies for reducing and eventual phasing out dental amalgam completely, paying close attention to the transition period until the amalgam phase out begins with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable populations, such as women of childbearing age and children. 
3. Develop, promote, and implement the environmentally sound management practices of mercury and mercury wastes, such as dental amalgam wastes, including environmentally sound storage of mercury and mercury wastes.
4. Increase public information and raise awareness especially for women, children, aboriginal peoples, fisher folk, consumers of fish, workers exposed to mercury, and other vulnerable populations.
5. Actively participate in the UNEP Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meetings on the development of a legally-binding treaty on mercury by supporting positions that effectively controls mercury’s full-lifecycle, including but not limited to the phase-out of dental amalgam, recognizing the role and importance of public interest, health and environmental stakeholders, and providing adequate and predictable resources for developing countries to meet their legally binding obligations.
In solidarity we sign: