Dramatic hearing on Capitol Hill: Members of Congress demand to know why FDA refuses to do Environmental Impact Statement
FDA was called to the carpet at a dramatic hearing on Capitol Hill on Nov. 14. Chairman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Congressman Dan Burton (R-Ind.), and Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-Calif.) took turns insisting that FDA comply with the law by doing an Environmental Impact Statement on mercury amalgam. A second panel of witnesses included mercury environmental expert Michael Bender, who quantified the colossal damage wrought by dental mercury on the environment, and National Environmental Policy Act expert Ray Clark, who explained why, without a doubt, FDA must do an environmental assessment of dental mercury.
FDA is aware that an Environmental Impact Statement will foreshadow the end of mercury fillings, because it will show the horrid damage caused by an unnecessary filling material, and show that alternative materials are not environmentally destructive. So witness Norris Alderson dodged and weaved, continuing FDA’s policy of protecting the ADA and dental product manufacturers instead of protecting dental patients. As Dan Burton and Diane Watson pushed him to explain why FDA continues to protect mercury amalgam, Alderson tried to cover up FDA’s mistakes by making false and deceptive claims. We have filed a complaint about this contemptuous behavior toward Congress and the American people; that letter is below.
Congressman Kucinich and our long-time Capitol Hill friends Diane and Dan did a magnificent job of focusing the issue where it belongs: on FDA’s unwillingness to comply with the laws of the land. By making FDA’s environmental duties the topic of this hearing, they have helped enlarge to coalition of those willing to challenge FDA on its refusal to regulate encapsulated mercury amalgam.
Charlie Brown
20 Nov. 2007
Charles G. Brown, National Counsel
Consumers for Dental Choice
316 F St., N.E., Suite 210 , Washington, DC 20002
Ph. 202.544-6333; fax 544-6331
charlie@toxicteeth.org; www.toxicteeth.org
