Re: Study finds mercury fillings not harmful

[Guest guest]

I've got a number of mercury fillings because that was all I could have given the locations of the fillings. Most of mine are right along the gumline and a little below, thanks the to braces. Almalgram fillings were all that would work there. It was either that or probably end up with more teeth pulled, and I would likely have dentures now.

I've not had any problems and get my blood tested with each physical. All the bloodwork is still good, except for cholesterol.

[Guest guest]

environmental1st2003 wrote:

> http://news./s/ap/20060901/ap_on_he_me/dental_mercury

>

> Study finds mercury fillings not harmful

>

> By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer

> Fri Sep 1, 3:47 PM ET

>

> WASHINGTON - Silver fillings used to patch cavities aren't dangerous

> even though they expose dental patients to the toxic metal mercury,

> federal health researchers said Friday.

>

> The Food and Drug Administration reviewed 34 recent research studies

> and found " no significant new information " that would change its

> determination that mercury-based fillings don't harm patients, except

> in rare cases where they have allergic reactions.

Would this be the same FDA that uses intimidation and threats against

its own scientists to ensure they toe the party line, regardless of what

the evidence may show?

[Guest guest]

Bill wrote: " Would this be the same FDA that uses intimidation and

threats against its own scientists to ensure they toe the party line,

regardless of what the evidence may show? "

If you are saying you believe that mercury and thimerosal cause

autism, that is a different commentary than if you are stating without

proof that an organization, agency, corporation or individual is

involved in the criminal act of intimidation and threatening.

Raven

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with you there Bill. Bill Hartwell <raven@...> wrote: environmental1st2003 wrote:> http://news./s/ap/20060901/ap_on_he_me/dental_mercury>> Study finds mercury fillings not harmful >> By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer > Fri Sep 1, 3:47 PM ET> > WASHINGTON - Silver fillings used to patch cavities aren't dangerous >

even though they expose dental patients to the toxic metal mercury, > federal health researchers said Friday. >> The Food and Drug Administration reviewed 34 recent research studies > and found "no significant new information" that would change its > determination that mercury-based fillings don't harm patients, except > in rare cases where they have allergic reactions.Would this be the same FDA that uses intimidation and threats against its own scientists to ensure they toe the party line, regardless of what the evidence may show?

All-new - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

[Guest guest]

Curiously, I almost never see any discussion of the role of selenium in protecting against mercury toxicity. I wonder why that is. There is the whole long-running issue about the "cancer belt" across the USA where there is low selenium in the soil and corresponding higher rates of cancer- and the governmental decisions to go with very low levels of recommended selenium in the diet to balance the risk-trade-off heavily against the risk of selenium toxicity and toward higher risk of cancers... But I'm kind of rambling here. The point is- why not more discussion about the role of selenium in protecting against mercury toxicity? (By the way, selenium toxicity can happen pretty easily if you're carelessly taking those supplements, and the effects are pretty nasty.) Here's a 2004 review paper on that in a Medical-Dental journal... (I haven't personally scoured this paper- but quickly scanning it, it looks in-line with what little

I know about the subject.) http://www.smdj.sc/SECIIIC.pdf#search=%22mercury%20health%20selenium%22 Heph environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote: http://news./s/ap/20060901/ap_on_he_me/dental_mercuryStudy finds mercury

fillings not harmful By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer Fri Sep 1, 3:47 PM ETWASHINGTON - Silver fillings used to patch cavities aren't dangerous even though they expose dental patients to the toxic metal mercury, federal health researchers said Friday. The Food and Drug Administration reviewed 34 recent research studies and found "no significant new information" that would change its determination that mercury-based fillings don't harm patients, except in rare cases where they have allergic reactions.The FDA released a draft of its review ahead of a two-day meeting next week to discuss the safety of mercury used in dentistry.Consumer groups opposed to its use disputed the FDA's conclusions. The groups plan to petition the agency for an immediate ban on use of the cavity-filler in pregnant women."The science is over. There is no safe level of exposure," said Brown, a

lawyer for one of the groups, Consumers for Dental Choice. "The only thing standing between this and a ban is politics. They are still pretending it is a scientific question, but it isn't."Amalgam fillings, also called silver fillings, by weight are about 50 percent mercury, joined with silver, copper and tin. Dentists have used amalgam to fill cavities since the 1800s. Today, tens of millions of Americans receive mercury fillings each year. Amalgam use has begun to decline, however, with many doctors switching to resin composite fillings, considered more appealing since they blend better with the natural coloring of teeth.With amalgam fillings, mercury vapor is released through tooth-brushing and chewing. In general, significant levels of mercury exposure can permanently damage the brain and kidneys. Fetuses and children are especially sensitive to its harmful effects.Scientists have found that mercury

levels in the blood, urine and body tissues rise the more mercury fillings a person has. However, even among people with numerous fillings, exposure levels are well below those known to be harmful, the report said."If substantial scientific evidence showed that dental amalgam posed a threat to the health of dental patients, we would advise dentists to stop using it. But the best and latest available scientific evidence indicates that dental amalgam is safe," Dr. Zentz, senior director of the American Dental Association's council on scientific affairs, said in prepared remarks to be delivered Wednesday to the joint meeting of FDA experts on dental products and neurology.Among those expected to address the joint panel is Rep. Diane (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., who has introduced legislation that would effectively ban the use of mercury in dental fillings by 2008. will press

the FDA for a ban and call on the agency to study the environmental impact of dental mercury, spokesman Bert Hammond said.Also on the legislative front, Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and other Senate colleagues have asked President Bush's nominee to head the FDA about the safety of mercury fillings. An Enzi spokesman said the lawmaker has yet to receive Dr. von Eschenbach's answers to those questions.Meanwhile, representatives of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Alzheimer's Association are expected to testify that there is no known scientific evidence to connect mercury fillings and the two diseases that are the focus of their respective groups. And Swedish and Canadian experts are to discuss how their countries regulate amalgam fillings.The meeting likely won't be the last word in the drawn-out fight over mercury fillings. As early as the 1840s, dentists were squabbling over whether

gold or mercury-silver fillings were better — a feud that led to the disbanding of the first national dental society in the United States, according to a March article in the Journal of the California Dental Association.___On the Net:Food and Drug Administration meeting on dental amalgam:http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfAdvisory/details.cfm?mtgHephaestus Clubfoothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hephaestushttp://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hephaestus.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabeiroi

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the clarification on your comments on mercury, Bill.

I still have difficulties however with unfounded accusations where

no proof exists. While what you are claiming with regards to the

scientists may be factual, without proof one cannot make these

statements as fact.

Raven

" Would this be the same FDA that uses intimidation

and

> > threats against its own scientists to ensure they toe the party

line,

> > regardless of what the evidence may show? "

> >

> > If you are saying you believe that mercury and thimerosal cause

> > autism, that is a different commentary than if you are stating

without

> > proof that an organization, agency, corporation or individual is

> > involved in the criminal act of intimidation and threatening.

> >

> > Raven

> >

>

> Nope. I'm saying mercury is poisonous, there have been studies

(going

> back to the early 1800s) that show that mercury in fillings is

> poisonous, and the FDA's " report " is part and parcel with their

other

> " reports " that claim that drugs like Lipitor and Vioxx are healthy

and

> safe - reports which, according to the FDA's own scientists, were

> created with the help of intimidation and threats by FDA

management

> against its own scientists.

>

[Guest guest]

Bill wrote: " Take a look at this article:

http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/interference/fda-scientists-

survey-summary.html ... <snip> ...

Thank you again, Bill. I appreciate the link and have read the

information.

I am not trying to be difficult. For me, it is important that if

something is presented as fact that facts be identified as well. Too

often I have seen people claim something to be fact when indeed it is

opinion.

Opinions have their place. Facts have their place. Sometimes the two

coincide; sometimes they do not.

Again, thank you for the information. It is greatly appreciated.

Raven

[Guest guest]

>

> " Would this be the same FDA that uses intimidation and threats

against

> its own scientists to ensure they toe the party line, regardless of

what

> the evidence may show? "

Why yes, yes it would:

" FDA Scientists Say Agency Would Rather Speed Drugs to Market Than

Ensure Safety

A survey of nearly 1,000 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

scientists found that even those working on the inside have doubts

about the agency's ability to protect the public. Perhaps the most

revealing finding: More than one-third of those who responded said

agency officials cared more about speeding new drugs and medical

devices to market than ensuring the products were safe. Also:

39 percent said the agency wasn't " acting effectively to protect

public health "

15 percent said they had been asked to " inappropriately " exclude or

alter information or conclusions in agency documents

37 percent said FDA leaders were more committed to approving products

for sale than to product safety

32 percent said the FDA didn't routinely provide complete and

accurate information to the public

Government officials are now calling for a long overdue " major

overhaul and culture change at the highest levels " of the FDA, and

only time will tell if they'll be able to repair their tarnished

image and practices.

Los Angeles Times July 21, 2006 "

And then there's corruption in the ADA, as well.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> " Curiously, I almost never see any discussion of the role of

selenium in protecting against mercury toxicity. "

I couldn't open your cite, but I had read this article on selenium in

fish:

" Mercury: selenium interactions and health implications (72-77)

J , PhD; VC Ralston, PhD.

University of North Dakota, USA

Abstract

Measuring the amount of mercury present in the environment or food

sources may provide an inadequate reflection of the potential for

health risks if the protective effects of selenium are not also

considered. Selenium's involvement is apparent throughout the

mercury cycle, influencing its transport, biogeochemical exposure,

bioavailability, toxicological consequences, and remediation.

Likewise, numerous studies indicate that the selenium, present in

many foods (including fish), protects against mercury exposure.

Studies have also shown mercury exposure reduces the activity of

selenium dependent enzymes. While seemingly distinct, these concepts

may actually be complementary perspectives of the mercury-selenium

binding interaction. Owing to the extremely high affinity between

mercury and selenium, selenium sequesters mercury and reduces its

biological availability. It is obvious that the converse is also

true; as a result of the high affinity complexes formed, mercury

sequesters selenium. This is important because selenium is required

for normal activity of numerous selenium dependent enzymes. Through

diversion of selenium into formation of insoluble mercury-selenides,

mercury may inhibit the formation of selenium dependent enzymes while

supplemental selenium supports their continued synthesis. Further

research into mercury-selenium interactions will help us understand

the consequences of mercury exposure and identify populations which

may be protected or at greater risk to mercury's toxic effects "

One thing that is rarely taken into consideration is how each

individual deals with mercury. It's a fact that if you have dental

amalgams and you chewed gum then spit saliva into a test tube and

tested it for mercury, the test would be positive--there is mercury

released from the amalgams. But how is YOUR body dealing with it? For

people who have a genetic problem with detoxification, mercury can be

a big problem. Is mercury being stored, accumulated over time? What

are the factors that determine how each person can handle it? Lack of

minerals, including selenium, to displace toxins? Our soils are

depleted of minerals and many people are deficient. Different

nutrients are needed by the body's different detoxification pathways

and are these nutrients deficient? Then, how well is a person's liver

working?

They've found that pregnant women pass on toxins to their fetuses. So

babies today are born with a toxin load. How is this affecting

children today who are now born into a more polluted world than their

mothers were? And which child is more affected than another?

Sulfur can also render mercury inactive. I wonder about that?

[Guest guest]

Sometimes it's good to see what Europe is doing on health issues.

They're usually ahead of the U.S. when it comes to issues like

this. 'Silver' amalgams are banned in several countries.

>

> Re: Study finds mercury fillings not harmful

>

> Thank you for the clarification on your comments on mercury, Bill.

>

> I still have difficulties however with unfounded accusations where

> no proof exists. While what you are claiming with regards to the

> scientists may be factual, without proof one cannot make these

> statements as fact.

>

> Raven

>

[Guest guest]

" For me, it is important that if

> something is presented as fact that facts be identified as well. Too

> often I have seen people claim something to be fact when indeed it is

> opinion. "

This is of the utmost importance to me, too. I want to know the truth

about things. I don't want what I want the truth to be to affect my

ability to recognize or accept the truth. It's sad when science has

been affected in this way--money, prestige, pressure, coverups, damage

control, effects scientists, too. In order to get grants or to keep

their job, or to see the effects of their life's study turn out the way

they hoped, scientists compromise themselves. Then how can we trust

studies?

If it turns out mercury does have an effect or is the cause or one of

the causes of autism, then it is. Those that don't want it to be are

going to have to accept it.

If it turns out autism is just another type of person, then it is.

Those that don't want it to be are going to have to accept it.

[Guest guest]

Go back 400 years and there was essentially one way to characterize

any sort of behavior that looked like mental impairment: Demonic

Possession.

Go back 300 years and you will see that people were SUPPOSED to be

non-intrusive and reserved as a matter of social policy.

NOW people are supposed to be outgoing and open.

I dispute the assertion that autism is any more prevalant now than at

any other time in history. It is a recent label, mostly defined by

Kanner, and the more physicians that come to understand its

definition and symptomology, the more they will identify it in

people.

For those of us who live in the so called civilized world, the

exposure to unhealthy substances such as lead, asbestos, and mercury

has mostly been minimized. People in developed countries are living

longer than at any other time in history.

And when you think about it, if we are all living longer, then there

is more time to identify AS in people and make the diagnosis, isn't

there?

After all, how much time did you have to worry about figuring out why

you or someone else is quirky if your life span is only 45 years or

so?

That we are now experiencing a " devestating " " outbreak " of autism

COULD indeed be related to mercury in fillings and vaccinations, but

it is just as likely that it has a genetic origin that can be traced

back to prehistoric times.

Tom

Administrator

" For me, it is important that if something is presented as fact that

facts be identified as well. Too often I have seen people claim

something to be fact when indeed it is opinion. "

This is of the utmost importance to me, too. I want to know the truth

about things. I don't want what I want the truth to be to affect my

ability to recognize or accept the truth. It's sad when science has

been affected in this way--money, prestige, pressure, coverups, damage

control, effects scientists, too. In order to get grants or to keep

their job, or to see the effects of their life's study turn out the

way they hoped, scientists compromise themselves. Then how can we

trust studies?

If it turns out mercury does have an effect or is the cause or one of

the causes of autism, then it is. Those that don't want it to be are

going to have to accept it.

If it turns out autism is just another type of person, then it is.

Those that don't want it to be are going to have to accept it.

[Guest guest]

Thimerosol is very toxic. My question is, outside of the autism

issue, why would they put ethylmercury--a known highly toxic

substance, in a vaccine and then give it to babies, and then jab the

baby several times with several vaccines, all containing thimerosol?

Jabbing the substance directly into a baby's system, unnaturally

bypassing the mucosal barrier of the immune system, through which all

toxins must naturally pass.

" Would this be the same FDA that uses intimidation

and

> > threats against its own scientists to ensure they toe the party

line,

> > regardless of what the evidence may show? "

> >

> > If you are saying you believe that mercury and thimerosal cause

> > autism, that is a different commentary than if you are stating

without

> > proof that an organization, agency, corporation or individual is

> > involved in the criminal act of intimidation and threatening.

> >

> > Raven

> >

>

> Nope. I'm saying mercury is poisonous, there have been studies

(going

> back to the early 1800s) that show that mercury in fillings is

> poisonous, and the FDA's " report " is part and parcel with their

other

> " reports " that claim that drugs like Lipitor and Vioxx are healthy

and

> safe - reports which, according to the FDA's own scientists, were

> created with the help of intimidation and threats by FDA management

> against its own scientists.

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> " I dispute the assertion that autism is any more prevalant now than

at

> any other time in history. It is a recent label, mostly defined by

> Kanner, and the more physicians that come to understand its

> definition and symptomology, the more they will identify it in

> people. "

Interesting assertion, but it still falls under 'opinion.' I would

love to see someone go back and read journals or other records of

people from the past, to see if there was any evidence of what is now

described as autism. If we are having an 'outbreak' of autism, were

there times throughout history of similar 'outbreaks'? If so, perhaps

they would stand out and there would be records of it, depending on

when and where it happened, if it did. I suppose some would just be

labeled as weird or antisocial with not details, but surely there's

some records somewhere.

> " People in developed countries are living

> longer than at any other time in history.

>

> And when you think about it, if we are all living longer, then

there

> is more time to identify AS in people and make the diagnosis, isn't

> there?

>

> After all, how much time did you have to worry about figuring out

why

> you or someone else is quirky if your life span is only 45 years or

> so? "

45 year life span is average life span and is that low because of

infant mortality, accidents, lifestyle, and death from things easily

cured today. People still lived to be 70 or 80, it's just that so

many died young, especially as children, bringing the average life

span down so far. Woman had a lot of children and some were expected

to die.

The U.S. is 48th on a list I found of life expectancies of countries.

Now they say it's to go down between 2-5 years because of the current

problem with obesity in this country. Well, I guess I won't get that

study on autism through the ages, 'coz we'll be worrying about

getting everyone thinner and healthier.

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I think greed is the factor behind a lot of the problems.

Organizations pretend to be doing things in the peoples' best

interests but really are profiting from the masses at whatever cost

they take in order to get that profit, and people believe that they

are being cared for, especially in America where the idea is that

it's the greatest country, and so they believe things that go on in

America are good, even superior. And people here want to be

comfortable and have what they want, just don't tell them what had to

be done in order for them to be comfortable. It's like a two-way

deal: organizations, you do whatever you do and we'll look the other

way, you just keep giving us stuff and don't mess with our

comfortable little lives. I had thought Aspies were more immune from

these types of deceptions, but I'm seeing that some fall prey as

easily as some non-Aspies.

" Would this be the same FDA that uses intimidation

> and

> > > threats against its own scientists to ensure they toe the party

> line,

> > > regardless of what the evidence may show? "

> > >

> > > If you are saying you believe that mercury and thimerosal cause

> > > autism, that is a different commentary than if you are stating

> without

> > > proof that an organization, agency, corporation or individual

is

> > > involved in the criminal act of intimidation and threatening.

> > >

> > > Raven

> > >

> >

> > Nope. I'm saying mercury is poisonous, there have been studies

> (going

> > back to the early 1800s) that show that mercury in fillings is

> > poisonous, and the FDA's " report " is part and parcel with their

> other

> > " reports " that claim that drugs like Lipitor and Vioxx are

healthy

> and

> > safe - reports which, according to the FDA's own scientists, were

> > created with the help of intimidation and threats by FDA

management

> > against its own scientists.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

> Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

>

[Guest guest]

I agree that ever since the industrial revolution, the world has become

more polluted. We are indeed exposed to more toxins which threaten our

growth, our development, and our genetic offspring.

Nevertheless, people in developed countries..the very countries that

produce the most pollution, still have longer life spans than years ago.

Tom

Administrator

Re: Re: Study finds mercury fillings not harmful

Good points. One of them I have to disagree with. There is more

pollution in industrial nations such as America. The pollution I'm

speaking of is dioxin,mercury from coal tar factories, benzine,

acetyldehyde and the list goes on. I agree with your statement that

Asperger and Autism is not a disorder of the nature of a person like

crackpot scientists want people to think.

[Guest guest]

Bill wrote: " One of the interesting things about amalgam fillings is

that the American Dental Association was formed in the 1859 by

dentists who had been thrown out of the American Society of Dental

Surgeons for using mercury amalgam in teeth ... <snip> ... "

That is interesting to know. Cool!

Raven