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Environmental Injury

Mercury-Induced Autism

We do everything possible to protect our children, including vaccinating them from infectious diseases. Who would think these vaccinations could be potentially hazardous? Shockingly, current studies indicate that millions of children could suffer from mercury-induced autism. The mercury-laced preservative thimerosal, once used in infant and childhood vaccinations to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, appears to be the culprit.

What is autism?
Autism is a neurological disorder that affects brain functions causing problems in intellectual and social development. It interferes with the ability to communicate, reason, and interact with other people. Language development can also be hindered.

An autistic person will engage his life in a very limited and repetitive behavior and will not easily adapt to changes in his routine and surroundings. Feelings and activities of isolation can start at three years old and can remain throughout adulthood.

Why was thimerosal used?
Beginning in the 1930s, thimerosal was used to protect vaccines from the growth of bacteria and fungi. The preservative was needed if the vials contained more than one dose to prevent microorganisms from entering the vial after repeated needle punctures. The most common vaccines that once contained thimerosal included: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP), Hepatitis B (Hep B), and Hemophilus Influenza (Hib). Once injected, thimerosal breaks down into a compound called ethylmercury, which is very hazardous to humans if large amounts are ingested.

What is the link between autism and mercury poisoning in children?
Mercury is a toxic metal that is widely dispersed throughout the earth’s air, water, and soil. We ingest traces of mercury through drinking water, breathing industrial vapors, and even eating seafood. (This is why doctors typically advise pregnant women not to eat seafood.) A developed adult naturally and easily excretes toxins, such as mercury, on a daily basis. But since infant bodies are underdeveloped, they can’t excrete the toxic metal as efficiently and are more susceptible to mercury poisoning. Studies have shown that children who were exposed to mercury in vaccines were twice as likely to develop autism than children who were not exposed.

How many children have suffered from Mercury-Induced Autism?
The rate of autistic symptoms in children is dramatically increasing. In 1970, 1 in 2,000 children experienced autistic symptoms. Between 1970 and 1990, thimerosal vaccines hit the market on a grand scale and the numbers rose to 1 in 1,000. As of 2002, the estimated number is up to 1 in 150. Autistic symptoms affect male children at a higher rate than female children.

What are some of the warning signs of Mercury-Induced Autism?
Signs of mercury-induced autism can range in both quantity and severity. The following are symptoms to look for:

• Short attention span
• Lack of interest in surroundings
• Unfocused gaze
• Delayed speaking
• Rocking motions
• Banging of the head
• Obsessive behavior
  

What is being done to protect children from future instances of Mercury-Induced Autism?
By 1999, the FDA discovered that some infants were being overexposed to cumulative amounts of ethylmercury and finally urged manufactures to remove thimerosal from all vaccines. Today, vaccines are made in single-dose vials, requiring only one needle puncture. Today, the majority of vaccines are either thimerosal-free or contain a much more diluted trace of it. Nevertheless, question your physician to ensure their vaccines don’t contain thimerosal or any mercury-containing preservatives. Researchers also advise parents to have pediatricians spread out the vaccine schedule so an infant is not administered several vaccines during one visit due to their increased vulnerability.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and should not be viewed as such. For medical advice you should always consult with your physician.

This law firm is not affiliated with, sponsored by or associated with the FDA.

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