Return-Path: Received: from ycc.com ([204.155.150.41]) by truman.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.1 release 219 ID# 0-52269U2500L250S0V35) with SMTP id com for ; Mon, 15 Mar 1999 10:34:51 -0500 Received: from YccPrimaryDomain-Message_Server by ycc.com with Novell_GroupWise; Mon, 15 Mar 1999 09:37:34 -0600 Message-Id: Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 09:36:53 -0600 From: "Bill Gradwohl" To: Subject: Skin Sensitivity Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Disposition: inline X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> This is not a forum on dentistry, so I'll leave a dental materials discussion to the end of this post. Anyone not interested in it can stop reading at the dotted line Most people recognize that mercury is highly toxic. Dr. Huggins tried to identify materials containing mercury that a person might come in contact with. I believe anyone is qualified to read a product label looking for mercury and mercuric compounds. I referenced the book and Dr. Huggins purposely since I have not researched "bag balm" myself. All I wanted to do was warn someone that it might contain mercury. Since metals accumulate in the body, repeated exposure to them especially with ready access to the blood stream might not be a good idea, but I'm no doctor. ..................................................................................... I'm well aware of Dr. Huggins status, or should I say lack of status in the dental community. He lost his license in Colorado. I've communicated with him and his associate Dr. Levy, a cardiologist, on several occasions. After reading his book and other scientific references on the metals commonly found in dental amalgam, I know I'll never allow it to be placed in any family member. I believe Dr. Huggins is on to something, and as usual his early warning calls have upset some people. In earlier times he would assuredly have been burned at the stake. Several federal agencies regulate the use of copper, mercury, tin, silver, and zinc as it relates to contact with the human body, labeling some "hazardous" and "toxic" even in minute trace quantities. These agencies loose interest when another seemingly scientific authority assumes responsibility in a specific application by combining them in certain ratios and labeling the result amalgam. The ADA somehow transforms toxic and hazardous metals into benign filling material as soon as amalgam passes into the mouth. Simply amazing science! The fact that any left over amalgam material not placed in the mouth must be treated as hazardous waste by the dentist apparently does not strike the ADA or most dentists as an obvious illogical treatement of a single substance. Hazardous waste outside the mouth, benign inside the mouth. Does that make sense? Since Canada and most of Europe no longer implant mercury fillings in some or all patients, I have to ask myself why I should have them. California has now seen fit to enact legislation to at least allow dentists to discuss filling materials with their patients in a rational manner without the dentist fearing loss of license. Other states are sure to follow, and I believe Dr. Huggins will be vindicated. Bill Gradwohl IV-P Builder