The European Commission intends to toughen the rules on products containing mercury

BRUSSELS, 15 Jul. (DPA/EP) –

The European Commission has proposed new restrictions on the use of mercury to better protect consumers and the environment, wanting to completely ban the use of mercury-containing dental fillings from 2025.

Banning this product, known as dental amalgam, will save 40 tons of mercury a year in the EU, the Commission reported in a statement on Friday.

In addition, the production, import and export of certain products that still contain mercury, such as lamps, must stop between 2026 and 2028, although the plans still have to be approved by the European Parliament and the countries of the Union.

Mercury is highly toxic and can permanently damage the brain, lungs, kidneys, and immune system if inhaled.

In the past, the heavy metal was used in batteries, thermometers, or fluorescent tubes.