China's dentures putting lead in mouth

London, Mar 8 (UNI) Till recently, only Chinese toys were notoriously famous for containing lead but experts are now blaming cut-price crowns and dentures from China for containing the toxic metal putting patients at risk.

Four cases of lead poisoning in the US have been linked to Chinese dental fixtures, which are often made in unregulated laboratories and contain 210 times the acceptable amount of lead.

The number of potentially dangerous imports was rising and there was a need for proper regulation of the industry, the Daily Mail quoted Chief executive of the Dental Laboratories Association, Richard Daniels, as saying.

Fears over the toxic metal content of crowns, veneers, bridges and dentures were raised when a 73-year-old Ohio woman became sick after being given a new crown made in China.

Dental material from China make up five per cent of the market, compared with less than one per cent three years ago. There have been concerns about other products made in the country, which is widely regarded as an emerging economic powerhouse.

Last year, toy manufacturer Mattel launched a massive product recall after some of its products made in China were found to have high levels of lead.

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