Mercury is an environmental problem due to multiple reasons. It has a detrimental impact on human health and is transmitted between individuals, including from mother to child via the placenta or breastfeeding. For this reason, the European Mercury Regulation has been revised and has now become legally binding. Certainly, this represents a significant stride in reaching the EU’s goal of zero pollution for a non-toxic environment. Under the new Regulation, the utilization and exportation of dental amalgam are set to be prohibited starting 1 January 2025. However, a temporary derogation until 30 June 2026 will be granted to Member States that obviously need more time to adapt their national health systems. In the future, dental filling materials are expected to be mercury-free, with the exception of emergency situations where its use is deemed absolutely necessary.
August 1, 2024
