Dental fillings exempt from mercury phase-out agreement

Delegates from some 140 countries and regions, meeting in Japan, have ratified a treaty on phasing out the use of mercury.

The treaty sets a phase-out date of 2020, with dental fillings being exempt.

Countries agreed to a phase-down of mercury in fillings by promoting alternatives, creating dental programs to minimise the need for fillings or taking other steps.

The Minamata Convention - facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program - will go into effect 90 days after it has been ratified by at least 50 nations, which is expected to take several years. To ratify it, the nations first must enact their own domestic laws.

The FDI World Dental Federation welcomed the outcome.