GENEVA, Switzerland – A coalition of nations, spearheaded by the United States, has intensified calls for a global prohibition on mercury-based dental amalgams by 2030. This appeal was made during a pivotal gathering of signatories to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a treaty aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of this toxic metal on human health and the environment. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in a compelling video address to the Geneva conference, underscored the paradox of mercury’s continued use in dental fillings despite its recognized hazards in other applications. ‘It’s inexcusable that governments around the world still allow mercury-based compounds in health care — and safe alternatives exist,’ Kennedy asserted. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified mercury as one of the top ten chemicals posing significant public health risks, labeling it as ‘toxic to human health.’ While some nations have already outlawed mercury in dental amalgam, a material used for over 175 years to treat dental caries, a group of African countries is advocating for a more comprehensive ban, including the production, import, and export of mercury-based dental products by 2030. They have proposed a draft amendment to the Minamata Convention, which will be scrutinized during this week’s conference. Burkina Faso’s representative highlighted the infrastructural deficiencies in less affluent countries for managing mercury waste. However, the proposal faces opposition from countries like Britain, Iran, and India. Britain’s delegate argued that 2030 is ‘too soon’ for such a ban, emphasizing the need to consider the cost and durability of alternative materials before phasing out mercury use.