In order to curtail environmental dangers emanating from the use of chemicals, we need to review and revise the existing curriculum, including relevant contents, said experts at a seminar on Wednesday.
They emphasised that the use of mercury-based dental amalgams should either be phased out or prepared through capsulated or mechanised mixing. Speakers were sharing their thoughts at the ‘Use of Chemicals in South Asia, Environmental Health Threats and Challenges’ session at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute’s (SDPI) 17th sustainable development conference.
“We want the best of the best but do the least of the least for it”, said Dr Bashir, a speaker, adding we will fail to even get the mid-quality product with such an approach.
Prof Suleman Tahir of University of Gujrat said one side of the industry --- production --- was very beautiful but the waste side was horrible. He suggested that industrialists should start making good use of waste material as well instead of discarding it.
The reasons for a frequent use of amalgam in the public sector and composites in the private sector could be that in the former, dental treatment is free or on a subsidised rate, said Dr Feroze Ali Kalhoro, an associate professor at the Institute of Dentistry at LUMHS.
Ram Charitra Sah, the executive director of the Center for Public Health and Environment Development, Nepal shared outcomes of mercury-free healthcare services and dentistry campaign in his country. He said all that was needed was official willingness to end use of mercury in the public domain.
Qazi Ali Athar, an environmental attorney in Sindh, informed that there was no provision of environment in the Constitution and the subject was covered under Article 9 of the Constitution.
Commenting on the session, he said that he thought it would be on use of chemicals in South Asia and managing waters beyond borders, but speakers have taken an entire different route here. “Nonetheless, it is informative,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2014.
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