HELCOM RECOMMENDATION 6/4

Adopted 13 March 1985, having regard to Article 13, Paragraph b) of the Helsinki Convention

RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING MEASURES AIMED AT THE REDUCTION OF MERCURY RESULTING FROM DENTISTRY

THE COMMISSION,

RECALLING that according to Article 6 of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, 1974, (Helsinki Convention) , the Contracting Parties shall take all appropriate measures to control and strictly limit pollution by noxious substances,

RECALLING ALSO that Annex II of the Helsinki Convention defines mercury as a noxious substance for the purposes of Article 6 of the Convention,

RECOGNIZING the relative importance of dentistry as the source of pollution by mercury,

BEING MINDFUL of the pollution caused by emissions of mercury resulting from dentistry,

DESIRING to limit this pollution by reducing mercury emissions from dental clinics, laboratories and surgeries,

RECOMMENDS to the Governments of the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention that arrangements for collection of waste containing mercury from dental clinics, laboratories and surgeries should be established for such undertakings that start operating after the end of 1986 and for those already in operation before that date not later than the end of 1988,

RECOMMENDS ALSO that elaborating new mercury-free materials for tooth fillings should be encouraged and the use of mercury containing materials for this purpose should, whenever possible, be abandoned,

 RECOMMENDS FURTHER that the Contracting Parties report to the Commission data on the existing and available technique one year after the adoption of this Recommendation.