Anytime a community can band together and stand up for what it believes in, it’s not only a big win for the community, but also a big win for similar communities across the nation. Spring Hill, Tennessee residents did just that recently, keeping one of the largest sources of mercury pollution out of it’s town by standing up and fighting.
Not only is it a big win for Spring Hill, but it’s also another step in the right direction for the fight against mercury amalgam fillings, as it proves people really DO CARE about what they are forced to breath and live with. It’s ALSO a big win for communities fighting against fluoridation, as it proves once again that when you stand up for the things you believe in, you really can make a difference.
The Press Release below came from Charlie Brown, National Counsel, Consumers for Dental Choice.
Community defeats dental mercury polluter
When dentists use mercury, their patients are not the only ones at risk – dental mercury pollution threatens the entire community.
Now informed communities are starting to fight back…and win.Last June in Spring Hill, Tennessee, a funeral business sought the city’s approval to build a crematory. But Spring Hill residents were well aware that crematories emit significant amounts of mercury from amalgam fillings, which are cremated along with bodies.
In fact, atmospheric emissions from amalgam burden us with 50-70 tons of mercury pollution every year. In the environment, this dental mercury converts to methylmercury and threatens the developing neurological systems of children and unborn babies especially. Armed with this knowledge, Citizens for a Better Spring Hill petitioned the city council to protect their children from the proposed crematory’s dental mercury emissions.
Consumers for Dental Choice was honored to support Citizens for a Better Spring Hill’s efforts. For years, we’ve been fighting dental mercury pollution – from obtaining Capitol Hill hearings about it to fruitfully urging the World Health Organization to do something about it to educating delegates at the mercury treaty sessions about it. Working with dedicated Spring Hill advocates like Dave Zirschky, Consumers for Dental Choice presented a letter to city officials explaining this emerging environmental issue.
At a hearing last week, Citizens for a Better Spring Hill braced itself for the city council vote that would determine the fate of the proposed crematory. Their five months of concentrated grassroots work paid off – the city council voted 8-1 against the proposed crematory, protecting the community’s children from this major source of dental mercury pollution.
As resident Leslie Szeliga exclaimed, “This is huge, Huge! I mean this town stuck together, did research, got everyone to change their minds, and got that whole panel, except for the mayor.” To see video clips from the intense hearing, click here.
Congratulations to Citizens for a Better Spring Hill. Your appreciation of the dental mercury pollution problem, your focused grassroots campaign, and your success are an inspiration.