The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Alliance have urged governments around the world to act fast in order to phase down the use of mercury-based in dental amalgam.
They emphasised the national implementation plan for successfully implementing the dental amalgam phase-down measures under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, they revealed yesterday on a side event of a UN mercury treaty meeting in Jordan, according to a press release issued yesterday.
The UNEP and World Alliance jointly organised the side event at King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, Dead Sea, Jordan.
Speakers at the event highlighted the World Alliance’s mercury-free dentistry initiatives in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Charlie Brown, president of the World Alliance, said setting up national objectives for minimising amalgam use is very important, and promoting mercury-free dental restoration and raising public awareness about the mercury content in dental amalgam are urgent to protect environment and public health.
Desiree Montecillo Narvaez, programme officer at UNEP Chemicals and Waste branch chaired the session, and Michel Bender of Mercury Policy Project, USA presented the overview of UNEP Brochure which contained lessons from countries phasing down dental amalgam use.
