{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000052","name":"Dental Amalgam Fillings (Mercury-Silver Amalgam)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"medical","tags":["dental amalgam","mercury","silver filling","dental restoration","elemental mercury"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Dental amalgam fillings containing approximately 50% elemental mercury (Hg0) combined with silver, tin, copper, and zinc. Amalgam fillings continuously release low levels of mercury vapor, which is absorbed through lungs and crosses the blood-brain barrier. FDA Class II medical device with restrictions for sensitive populations.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.648,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.4,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"pregnant women, children under 6, nursing mothers","overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Continuous mercury vapor inhalation from amalgam surfaces","Mercury neurotoxicity — crosses blood-brain barrier","Peak exposure during amalgam placement and removal"],"exposure_routes":"Continuous inhalation of mercury vapor; oral exposure from filling surface"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","oral"],"contact_types":["inhalation","oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"continuous","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Continuous low-level mercury vapor release from amalgam surfaces","Vapor release increased by chewing, hot beverages, teeth grinding","Drilling/removing old amalgam generates peak mercury vapor exposure","Multiple amalgam fillings increase cumulative vapor release"],"notes":"FDA in 2020 recommended avoiding amalgam in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children <6, and people with mercury sensitivity or kidney disease. EU phased out amalgam for children <15 and pregnant/nursing women (2018). Norway and Sweden banned dental amalgam entirely. Average adult with amalgam fillings has urinary mercury 2-5x higher than unfilled controls."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Consider composite resin or ceramic alternatives for new fillings. Do not remove existing amalgam fillings solely to eliminate mercury exposure — removal generates higher peak exposure than leaving in place. If removal is needed, use a dentist trained in safe amalgam removal (rubber dam, high-volume suction).","safer_alternatives":["Composite resin fillings (BPA-free formulations available)","Ceramic/porcelain inlays and onlays","Glass ionomer cement (releases fluoride, mercury-free)"],"alternatives":[{"name":"Composite resin fillings","notes":"BPA-free formulations available"},{"name":"Ceramic/porcelain inlays and onlays","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"},{"name":"Glass ionomer cement","notes":"releases fluoride, mercury-free"}],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Use without recommended protective equipment","meaning":"Exposure to hazardous chemicals or particles without protection.","action":"Always use appropriate PPE as specified by manufacturer or SDS."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party safety certification visible on packaging","meaning":"Product has been independently tested to applicable safety standards.","verification":"Look for certification logos (CPSIA, ASTM, EN, NSF, UL, OEKO-TEX)."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What materials is this product made from?","why_it_matters":"Material composition determines chemical exposure potential.","good_answer":"Full material disclosure with known safe materials.","bad_answer":"No material information or unspecified."}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"OSHA workplace safety","citation":"29 CFR 1910","requirements":"PELs, SDS requirements, PPE mandates.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OSHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA (TSCA/RCRA/FIFRA as applicable)","citation":null,"requirements":"Chemical reporting, hazardous waste, pesticide registration as applicable.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Amalgam waste is regulated dental waste — must be captured by amalgam separator per EPA Dental Rule (2017).","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"10-15_years"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000046","name":"Mercury (inorganic/elemental)","role":"primary_component","concentration_pct":"~50"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000046","compound_name":null,"role":"primary_component","typical_concentration":"~50%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["dental amalgam fillings (mercury-silver amalgam)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Dentsply Sirona","manufacturer":"Dentsply Sirona","market_position":"professional","notable":"Major dental materials manufacturer"},{"brand":"SDI Limited","manufacturer":"SDI Limited","market_position":"professional","notable":"Dental amalgam capsule manufacturer"},{"brand":"Kerr","manufacturer":"Envista","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional dental materials"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"OSHA workplace safety (29 CFR 1910)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"29 CFR 1910","id":"src_0358de26"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA (TSCA/RCRA/FIFRA as applicable)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_e10425f0"},{"id":"iarc_mercury_v58_1993","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 58: Beryllium, Cadmium, Mercury, and Exposures in the Glass Manufacturing Industry — Methylmercury Compounds Group 2B; Inorganic Mercury Compounds Group 3 (1993)","year":1993,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000046"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_82d1cfcd","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:24:28.116Z"}}