'Toxic Teeth' investigation prompts call for federal probe

CLEVELAND -- U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the problem of lead-contaminated dental products that are being imported into this country.

Brown said "it is essential that the FDA take action to ensure the safety of these dental products. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) determined that lead levels under 200 parts per million are safe. However, some of the dental implants tested by Ohio labs indicate higher levels of lead than that ceiling."

The Investigator Tom Meyer ordered crowns from China and had them tested at a lab in Cleveland.

Two of the three dental products were found to contain dangerous levels of lead.

Brown made reference to the Investigator's findings and named a Hudson, Ohio woman who complained of lead poisoning from a foreign-made crown.

Also, Faye Lewis, 73, of Ravenna, complained to the Investigator that her China-made bridge was loaded with lead.

Brown is asking the FDA to respond quickly to the following questions:

* What standards exist for domestic and international dental products and the dental labs that produce them?

* What is the estimated volume of China-produced dental implants in the country today, and what is the annual volume of such prodcuts?

* What tracking mechanisms are in place to prepare for potential contamination by tainted dental implants?

* What inspection mechanisms are in place to ensure the safety of dental implants?

* What are the risks posed by dental implants with lead levels above those that the CDC has determined are safe?

Brown said, if the FDA doesn't take action soon, he will introduce legislation to protect consumer safety.

He told the Investigator that "I am just tired of U.S. companies outsourcing work to China without being held liable."