Lord Reay (Con)

My Lords, I thank the Minister for introducing this debate and the noble Baroness, Lady Hoey, for her amendment. This SI addresses the implications for Northern Ireland of the Government’s decision not to follow the Minamata Convention on Mercury on phasing out the use of mercury dental amalgam fillings throughout the EU. I will say a few words on why it is concerning that the UK Government are rowing back on their Minamata commitments, and why mercury amalgam fillings, which are highly toxic, should be banned throughout the UK at the earliest opportunity. This issue is not merely one of dentistry; it concerns public health, environmental protection and ethical responsibility. Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to science, as the Minister readily accepted in her opening statement, and there is no safe level of exposure for humans. Studies show that mercury vapour is released continuously into the mouth from amalgam fillings, especially when we chew, grind our teeth or have old fillings removed. These vapours are inhaled, absorbed into the bloodstream and stored in the body’s tissues. Chronic exposure has been linked to neurological damage, kidney dysfunction and developmental harm in unborn children.