Regional Experience in Implementing the Minamata Convention: Progress Towards Reducing or Eliminating Dental Amalgam and Responsibly Managing Its Waste

Mercury is highly toxic, persistent in the environment, and one of WHO’s top ten chemicals of public health concern, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, women, adolescents, and older adults. To address this, the Minamata Convention was adopted to protect human health and the environment, including actions to reduce or eliminate dental amalgam and to manage its waste responsibly.

Through funding from the Global Environment Facility, WHO and UNEP launched the project “Accelerating the Implementation of Provisions on Dental Amalgam and Strengthening National Capacities for the Environmentally Sound Management of Associated Waste.” Uruguay was selected to represent Latin America and the Caribbean because of its strong commitment and progress in phasing out dental amalgam.

This virtual seminar will present Uruguay’s experience and achievements under this project and share best practices to help guide and inspire other countries in reducing dental amalgam use and enhancing mercury waste management.

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WEBINAR RECORDING

Specific objectives

• To present the background, progress, and best practices developed in Uruguay under the GEF project in support of implementing the Minamata Convention’s provisions on dental amalgam.
• To foster the exchange of experiences and lessons learned that can serve as a reference for other countries seeking to phase out dental amalgam and ensure environmentally sound mercury management

Agenda