FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONTREAL URBAN COMMUNITY TO
LEGISLATE RECYCLING OF MERCURY BY DENTAL CLINICS:
QUEBEC ENVIRONMENT MINISTER APPROVES
Montreal– The Quebec
Holistic Dental Association (QHDA) – a group of
environmentally motivated dentists – has received
written confirmation from the president of the MUC
Executive Committee, Mrs. Vera Danyluk and from the
president of the MUC Environmental Commission, Mr.
Jacques Charbonneau, concerning their intention to
" rule on the installation of mercury
amalgam separators in dental clinics on their territory
at the April 25th,
2000 scheduled meeting ".
According to MUC data, dental clinics
are responsible for at least 25% of all mercury received
at the MUC water treatment plant. Moreover, according to
MUC reports, dental clinics would be in constant
violation of present rules and regulations on wastewater
discharges.
Concerning the management of waste at
the source by dental clinics, the QHDA also received a
letter dated February 7, 2000, from Quebec Ministry of
Environment deputy-minister Diane Jean stating " the Ministry of Environment can
only support the efforts of the MUC to rule on retention
and management of toxic substances originating from
dental clinics". In addition, the Ministry of
Environment hopes the MUC’s initiative will have an
instigating effect on other municipalities.
The QHDA is affiliated with the
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
(IAOMT) and brings together dentists who practice
according to a wellness-based philosophy. Last December,
QHDA adopted a resolution committing all its members to
recycle mercury wastes "in office" with
ISO approved technologies. Application of these measures
will ensure member’s act within the confines of
present and future legislation of municipalities and
urban communities governing mercury wastes.
IAOMT recommends mercury separators as
a Standard of Care for all its members. IAOMT has long
determined that mercury wastes discharged from dental
clinics « present a significant environmental
risk » as stated in IAOMT president Dr. Ronald
Dressler’s letter to the MUC supporting their
initiative.
" We are extremely happy with
the MUC’s and Ministry of Environment’s
intention to solve the problem of mercury wastes from
dental clinics. We trust the Quebec Order of Dentists and
the Quebec Association of Dental Surgeons will also
endorse this endeavour and support the MUC as well as
other municipalities who decide to rule on mercury in
wastewater", concludes Dr. Guy Duquet, president of
QHDA.
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Contact: Dr. Pierre Larose (514)
747-4949
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