The Berkeley City Council in California, with the aid of organizations in the city, plans to introduce five proposals that will educate the public about possible risks of mercury in amalgam and encourage limited use of or alternatives to the restorative material, according to an article in the Daily Californian.
While the details varied, all five proposals discussed at the council's September 17 meeting emphasized the need for increased public education about possible risks associated with dental amalgam. They will be presented to the public by the Community Health Commission, the Community Environmental Advisory Commission, the city manager's office, and the City Council.
The California Dental Association (CDA) supports the use of amalgam and considers it safe and cost-effective. Councilmember Jesse Arreguin expressed alarm that "Sacramento politics" were coming to Berkeley in light of councilmember lobbying by the CDA, the article noted.
Arreguin said he hopes the council will skip the process of approving all five proposals and instead select a single proposal that is best for the city.
