Autism Mercury

From 1991 onwards, the incidence of autism cases began to rise precipitously, coinciding with the advent of almost-mandatory childhood vaccinations. Although officials and administrators prefer to call the vaccinations routine or recommended, they are de facto mandatory. Short of powerful, legitimate religious beliefs on the part of the parents, a child cannot be enrolled in public schools or most private schools without proof of receiving the list of vaccinations.

At that time, a bacteria-fighting preservative called thimerosal, which contains a small amount of mercury, was added to vaccines. It is still present in some vaccines today, including flu vaccines. (It will gradually be removed entirely, but removal is said to be a complex process that requires greater production facilities than currently exist.)

However, in 1999, the U.S. Public Health Service and others recommended that the level of thimerosal in vaccines be reduced to protect pregnant women and their unborn children, as well as infants. Today, none of the routine childhood vaccinations contain mercury. The number of children who continue to be diagnosed with autism at varying ages continues to be high, so it's likely that several factors are involved.

Mercury Poisoning Is Treatable

Mercury poisoning can be treated. However, until it is removed from the body, mercury destroys neurons and causes great damage to the central nervous system. This causes bright lights to be intolerable, as are many sounds. Even soft touches on the skin may be very painful.

Chelation therapy is usually reserved by medical doctors for treating heavy metal poisoning and involves a series of transfusions with a substance that bonds to metal in the bloodstream. It is then excreted through the urine. Outside of a hospital setting, it can be difficult for the average person to distinguish authentic medical treatment from quackery.

Even when a doctor's credentials are impeccable, there is risk associated with the treatment. However, parents of autistic children who have successfully undergone the treatments, state that the children have shown marked improvement in their ability to function and communicate. The debate will probably continue, regardless of official pronouncements.