INQUIRER.net stock images
MANILA, Philippines — BAN Toxics, a group advocating a toxic-free environment, asked the government on Tuesday to enforce the five-year-old ban on the sale and distribution of mercury dental amalgam (MDA), which was found to be illegal due to its harmful effects.
In a statement, BAN Toxics said that it had monitored over 35 vendors selling MDA online, in addition to several dental supply stores in Manila.
Also known as silver fillings, MDA is used as a dental filling for decayed or broken teeth. It is often composed of silver, tin, and small amounts of copper, zinc, and mercury.
Research has found that its composition causes damage to the nervous, digestive, immune, and reproductive systems.
The Department of Health, through a 2020 administrative order, issued guidelines on the phaseout of MDA, while a Food and Drug Administration 2022 circular reinforced the ban on mercury-added thermometers, sphygmomanometers, dental amalgam capsules and liquid mercury for use in dental restorative purposes.
READ: Group warns vs mercury in dental fillings
“This is alarming to find out: the over-the-counter and online selling of mercury dental amalgam [in capsule], considering the regulation has been enforced since 2020,” said Thony Dizon of BAN Toxics.