What Is the Minamata Convention?

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a legally binding international treaty, adopted in 2013 and now ratified by more than 140 countries, designed to protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution. It is the world’s primary framework for reducing mercury use, emissions, and contamination across industries.

It is named after Minamata City in Japan, the site of one of the worst industrial poisonings in history. For decades, a chemical factory discharged methylmercury into Minamata Bay, contaminating seafood and poisoning thousands. The tragedy resulted in severe neurological impairment, birth defects, and widespread ecological damage.

The Convention was created to ensure that such environmental catastrophes never happen again.

The Goals of the Minamata Convention

The Convention commits countries to:

1. Reduce or eliminate the use of mercury in products

This includes:

• Thermometers

• Batteries

• Lamps

• Cosmetics

• Dental amalgam

• Industrial chemicals

2. Control mercury emissions and releases

Countries must regulate emissions from:

• Coal-fired power plants

• Waste incinerators

• Cement production

• Metal mining and smelting

• Crematoria emissions (a growing concern worldwide)

3. Manage mercury waste safely

Nations must create infrastructure for:

• Collection and storage

• Recycling

• Safe disposal

• Preventing mercury from entering rivers, soil, and the food chain

4. Protect human health

The treaty requires programmes for vulnerable groups, monitoring, and public-health education.

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Dental Amalgam in the Minamata Convention

Dental amalgam contains roughly 50% elemental mercury, making it one of the largest intentional uses of mercury in healthcare.

Originally, the Convention called for a “phase-down” of dental amalgam.

However, in November 2025, the Parties agreed to a global phase-out by 2034, meaning that by that year, dental amalgam will no longer be used internationally.

Countries that already banned amalgam include the EU, Norway, Japan, and certain US states, while many developing nations are preparing for a longer transition due to cost and infrastructure limitations.

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Why the Minamata Convention Matters for Dentistry

1. Mercury exposure adds up across a population, especially through environmental sources like waterways and crematoria emissions.

2. Dentistry’s contribution to mercury waste is significant enough that reducing dental amalgam helps countries meet their environmental commitments.

3. Modern dental materials (composites and ceramics) are now safer and more accessible, making amalgam increasingly unnecessary.

4. The Convention pushes the entire industry—including manufacturers—to develop cleaner, safer, and more biocompatible materials.

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In Simple Terms

The Minamata Convention is the global agreement to end mercury pollution, including mercury used in dentistry.

It ensures a controlled, scientifically managed transition away from mercury-based products such as dental amalgam, to protect both:

• patients

• public health

• the environment