ADA presents testimony at environmental mercury hearing

Washington鈥擠entists have steadily reduced their already minimal contribution to environmental mercury over the past decade, the Association told Congress at a July 8 hearing “assessing state and local regulations to reduce dental mercury emissions.”

“Dentists as health professionals will respond to scientific evidence and cooperative approaches,” the ADA said in oral testimony聽 to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on domestic policy. “Some early approaches were not successful because of lack of understanding on both sides. But the ADA and dentistry have learned from past experience. They have calibrated their approach, and voluntary, cooperative partnerships have succeeded in subsequent efforts.”

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), subcommittee chair, cited the Association in his opening statement as “one of the most significant stakeholders in the effort to reduce dental mercury emissions. As we will hear today, among the most valuable lessons learned in the effort to achieve compliance is the importance of the cooperation and leadership of local and state dental societies. The ADA has already made significant strides in leading the effort to reduce dental mercury emissions.”

But he and Reps. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) and Diane Watson (D-Calif.) vigorously questioned the Association witness, William J. Walsh, on voluntary efforts versus mandatory regulation and the environmental impact of dental mercury emissions. Mr. Walsh is outside counsel for the ADA on amalgam wastewater issues. He testified in support of voluntary efforts as a key element of the ADA鈥檚 best management practices for handling waste amalgam.

The ADA鈥檚 written testimony said that despite “the very small share of mercury in surface waters from dental amalgam, America鈥檚 dentists want to do the right thing and minimize even further their impact on the environment.”

Rep. Kucinich and Mr. Walsh engaged in a dialogue on regulation,with Rep. Kucinich noting that “we will challenge your position on voluntary and mandatory.”