Most batteries made in the U.S. do not contain added
mercury. The two exceptions are mercuric oxide batteries and button cell
batteries. Mercuric oxide batteries are produced for specialized use in military
and medical equipment where a stable current and long service life is essential. Button cell
batteries are miniature batteries in the shape of a coin or button that are used
to provide power for a large variety of small portable electronic devices.
The use and disposal of mercury-added button cells are unregulated at the
federal level.
They do not have to be labeled;
it is legal to dispose of them in
the household trash; and
they rarely are collected for recycling in most U.S.
jurisdictions.
Some states are now considering whether the disposal of button
cell batteries should be regulated or whether recycling should be encouraged.
Because button batteries currently are not widely targeted for recycling, almost
all of this mercury presumably ends up in the municipal solid waste stream where
it is either incinerated or landfilled.
The silver fillings used by dentists to restore teeth are composed of a metal
"amalgam" containing roughly 50% elemental mercury and 50% other metals (mostly
silver with some tin and copper). Amalgam is one of the most commonly used tooth
fillings, and is considered to be a safe, sound, and effective treatment for
tooth decay. Amalgam has been the most widely used tooth filling material for
decades. It remains popular because it is strong, lasting and low-cost. Dental
amalgams are considered medical devices and are regulated by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).
Safety of Dental Amalgam Fillings
The mercury found in amalgam fillings has raised some safety concerns over
the years. Amalgam can release small amounts of mercury vapor over time, and
patients can absorb these vapors by inhaling or ingesting them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), there is little scientific evidence that the health of the
vast majority of people with dental amalgam is compromised, nor that removing
amalgam fillings has a beneficial effect on health. A 2004 review of the
scientific literature conducted for the U.S. Public Health Service found "insufficient evidence of a
link between dental mercury and health problems, except in rare instances of
allergic reaction." For more information on dental amalgam use, benefits and
health issues, please see the CDC's "Dental
Amalgam Use and Benefits."
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consumer update on dental amalgam
advises, as a precaution, that pregnant women and persons who may have a health
condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure should discuss
dental treatment options with their health care practitioner. FDA, which
regulates the use of dental amalgam, is currently reviewing the scientific
evidence on the safe use of amalgam. It expects to report on any changes to
classification and material or labeling controls in 2009. Such changes could
impact the rules for the marketing of dental amalgam.
Alternatives to Dental Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam use is declining because the incidence of dental decay is decreasing
and because improved substitute materials are now available for certain
applications. If dental patients do not want to use mercury amalgam, there are
several non-mercury restorative materials available. Presently, there are six
types of restorative materials:
mercury amalgam,
resin composite,
glass ionomer,
resin ionomer,
porcelain, and
gold alloys.
Each type of restorative material has
advantages and disadvantages. Some factors that influence the choice of
restorative material used include: cost, strength, durability, location of
cavity, and aesthetics.
Environmental Releases of Mercury from Dental Amalgam Waste
Mercury from dental amalgam is a major source of controllable mercury
released to the environment and likely will remain a significant concern into
the future.
Mercury from dental amalgam is released to the environment through
three primary pathways:
in wastewater,
as solid waste, and
through cremation of
bodies containing dental amalgam.
The majority of dental mercury amalgam is
discharged from dental offices to wastewater treatment systems. For more
information on environmental releases of mercury from dental amalgam, see EPA's
mercury Web page on Consumer and Commercial Products.
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Read more to learn about recommended procedures and tests for each stage of a healthy pregnancy.
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light (photophobia), increased sensitivity to sound (phonophobia), dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive disturbances, and other symptoms. Treatments for migraine headache include therapies that may or may not involve medications.
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C.). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal: rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease- producing organisms.
Toothache usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint (TMJ), or spasms of the muscles used for chewing. A toothache can also be caused by a problem that does not originate from a tooth or the jaw, like diseases of the heart (angina or heart attack), ear infections, and sinus infections. A thorough oral examination, which includes dental X-rays, can help determine the cause.
Tremor is the involuntary movements of one or more parts of the body. Causes of tremor include neurological disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, drugs, mercury poisoning, overactive thyroid and liver failure. There are several types of tremor. Treatment depends upon the type of tremor and availability of medications for the condition.
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time, and can be fatal. Causes of anaphylaxis can be food allergy, latex allergy, allergy to insect or but stings/bites, asthma, or other materials or conditions. Symptoms include flushing, itching, hives, anxiety, rapid or irregular pulse. Severe symptoms may be throat and tongue swelling, swallowing, and difficulty breathing. Some disorders appear similar to anaphylaxis such as fainting, panic attacks, blood clots in the lungs, heart attacks, and septic shock. If you think that you may be having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency care or call 911 immedately.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
It's important to know whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby prior to delivery, as the breasts' ability to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of breastfeeding. Breast milk is easily digested by babies and contains infection-fighting antibodies and cholesterol, which promotes brain growth. Formula-fed babies actually need to eat somewhat less often since formula is less readily digested by the baby than human milk. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of both forms of feeding.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Trying to get conceive, or become pregnant can be challenging, frustrating, and an emotional rollercoaster for some couples. There are things you can do to chart progress, which may ultimately lead to a successful healthy pregnancy, or, when necessary, lead to discussions with a fertility specialist. Being aware of your menstrual cycle, charting your fertility pattern, knowing the reasons for infertility, and treating infertility are key points to discuss with your partner and physician.
Learn more about what cavities like, their symptoms, treatment and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities and how regular brushing and flossing can help.
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
Kids get headaches and migraines too. Many adults with headaches started having them as kids, in fact, 20% of adult headache sufferers say their headaches started before age 10, and 50% report their headaches started before age 20.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
Pregnancy can bring challenges like weight gain, stretch marks, varicose veins, heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids, problems sleeping, and wondering if it is safe to have sex while pregnant. Learn how to manage and move through these challenges during pregnancy.
Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Stress on the job can be damaging to your health in that job stress is the outcome when job demands cannot be met.
The United States National Poison Hotline is 1-800-222-1222. When you call this number you will be automatically linked to the nearest poison center in the United States. Call this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a poison expert.
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