Sodium amalgam Sodium amalgam Sodium amalgam, commonly denoted Na(Hg), is an alloy of mercury and sodium. The term amalgam is used for alloys, intermetallic compounds, and solutions (both solid solutions and liquid solutions) involving mercury as a major component. Sodium amalgam is often used in reactions as strong reducing agents with better handling properties compared to solid sodium. They are less dangerously reactive toward water and in fact are often used as an aqueous suspension. No particular formula is assigned to "sodium amalgam". NaHg and NaHg are well defined compounds. In sodium amalgams, the Hg-Hg distances are expanded to around 5 Å
Dental amalgam controversy they contain Bis-phenol A (BPA) a chemical known to cause reproductive toxicity at high doses. In Canada, amalgam use is considered safe and effective. A 2005 position statement from the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) states that "current scientific evidence on the use of dental amalgam supports that amalgam is an effective and safe filling material that provides a long-lasting solution for a broad range of clinical situations. The CDA has established its position based on the current consensus of scientific and clinical experts and on recent extensive reviews of strong evidence by major North American and international organizations, which have