Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 14 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 March 2000. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 March 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the toxic elements included in mercury-based amalgams in dentistry. - (Holding answer 21 February 2000).

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the toxic elements included in mercury-based amalgams in dentistry. [110484] Mr. Hutton: [holding answer 21 February 2000]: The principal elements used in dental amalgam are mercury, silver, copper and tin. All of these can be toxic at high doses but, apart from a few cases of hypersensitivity, there is no evidence of risk of systemic toxicity at the levels released from dental amalgam.

Secondary information