Dental amalgam contains mercury, raising health and environmental concerns despite regulations and recycling efforts.
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Millions of Spanish people have mercury in their mouths from dental amalgam fillings, a silver filling popular for its durability and low cost but which contains approximately 50% mercury mixed with silver, tin, and copper. The main concern is the release of mercury vapors when these fillings wear down or are removed, as prolonged exposure to small amounts of mercury has been linked to neurological, immunological, and renal problems, although the WHO states that in most cases, exposure levels do not pose a significant risk. Due to this, the European Union has taken measures, including banning amalgam use on children under 15 and pregnant or lactating women since July 2018, and requiring dental clinics to have filters for residual particles since January 2019. Despite these prohibitions, millions in Europe still have amalgam fillings; for instance, about 75% of adults over 45 in Spain have them. Experts advise against unnecessary removal as extraction can release more mercury than leaving it in place, but if wear or fracture occurs, a dentist experienced in safe removal using protective measures should be consulted. The greatest risk identified by experts is to the environment during disposal. Improper management could release mercury into water and soil, contaminating ecosystems, while incineration contributes to air pollution. In Denmark, waste amalgam is classified as hazardous and exported for treatment, which involves processes like distillation to recover liquid mercury or chemical stabilization of liquids. For unrecyclable solid remains, they are encapsulated in cement or polymers for disposal in specialized hazardous waste landfills. Recycled mercury can be reused in industries requiring conductive properties or stored securely under strict regulations.
