MOHP, Nepal banned the use of Mercury Dental Amalgam and Mercury based equipments
Government of Nepal , Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) banned the use of Mercury Dental Amalgam and Mercury based equipment’s towards ensuring Mercury Free Dentistry and Mercury Free Health Care Services in Nepal.
This is the results of research based campaign lead by Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED) in close coordination and collaboration with all concerned organization.
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav on 21st August 2019 took very progressive decision to ban use of mercury dental amalgam and equipment’s in Nepal.
Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in consultation with all concerned professional associations like Nepal Dental Association (NDA), Nepal Medical Association (NMA), Universities (KU & TU), World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office for Nepal, Academies of Health Sciences like PAHS, NGOs and all other concerned stakeholder etc. has took this environment and health friendly decision.
This will immensely contribute towards effective implementation of Minamata Convention on Mercury, recommendations of Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) report of Government of Nepal.
WHO has identified mercury as one of the top 10 chemicals that can endanger health.
Mercury is a common ingredient found in cosmetics. Inorganic mercury is used in skin lightening soaps and creams. Organic mercury compounds are used as cosmetic preservatives in eye makeup cleansing products and mascara.
The main adverse effect of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage. Mercury in skin lightening products may also cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections. Other effects include anxiety, depression or psychosis and peripheral neuropathy.
WHO
