I hold no brief for the FDA but I expect that they are operating on the precautionary principle. I do not know why you think it is "a gem." The lack of evidence for the effects of amalgam in children under six is probably because very few children under six have dental amalgams. Dentists do not usually drill and fill baby teeth. But for those that do and for babies who are breast fed, the FDA document does conclude with this "gem."
"Taking into account factors such as the number and size of teeth and respiratory volumes and rates, FDA estimates that the estimated daily dose of mercury in children under age six with dental amalgams is lower than the estimated daily adult dose. The exposures to children would therefore be lower than the protective levels of exposure identified by ATSDR and EPA.
In addition, the estimated concentration of mercury in breast milk attributable to dental amalgam is an order of magnitude below the EPA protective reference dose for oral exposure to inorganic mercury. FDA has concluded that the existing data support a finding that infants are not at risk for adverse health effects from the breast milk of women exposed to mercury vapors from dental amalgam."
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I hold no brief for the FDA but I expect that they are operating on the precautionary principle. I do not know why you think it is "a gem." The lack of evidence for the effects of amalgam in children under six is probably because very few children under six have dental amalgams. Dentists do not usually drill and fill baby teeth. But for those that do and for babies who are breast fed, the FDA document does conclude with this "gem."
"Taking into account factors such as the number and size of teeth and respiratory volumes and rates, FDA estimates that the estimated daily dose of mercury in children under age six with dental amalgams is lower than the estimated daily adult dose. The exposures to children would therefore be lower than the protective levels of exposure identified by ATSDR and EPA.
September 25, 2011 - 3:33pmIn addition, the estimated concentration of mercury in breast milk attributable to dental amalgam is an order of magnitude below the EPA protective reference dose for oral exposure to inorganic mercury. FDA has concluded that the existing data support a finding that infants are not at risk for adverse health effects from the breast milk of women exposed to mercury vapors from dental amalgam."
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