Autism and vaccines: Is there a link?

cnn.com ^ | Tuesday, December 10, 2002 Posted: 3:22 PM EST

[FormerLurker]

That pure elemental mercury is safe, but that the chlorinated and methylated forms are toxic.

It is mercury ions that are highly toxic. So compounds of mercury ARE probably more dangerous, as when the compound breaks down, mercury ions become available and cause neuron degeneration as shown in the University of Calgary's video presentation. However, I'd say that elemental mercury could very well cause the same problem, as it is well known that hat makers working with mercury in the past developed what is known as "mad hatter's" disease.

More information can be found below..

Quicksilver

[FormerLurker]

Researcher Haley's response says zinc greatly worsens the mercury toxicity.

Could you point me to that info?

[bvw]

Haley:

Another publication, from a major U.S. School of Dentistry, stated that solutions in which amalgams had been soaked were "severely cytotoxic initially when Zn [Zinc] release was highest" (13). Zn is a needed element for body health and is found in very low percentages in dental amalgams when compared to mercury and why mercury was not mentioned in the abstract of this publication baffles me. Why would the statement be true? Because Zn2+ is a synergist that enhances mercury toxicity! However, does this sound like amalgams are a safe, stable material? We have repeated similar amalgam soaking experiments in my laboratory and the results can be seen at www.altcorp.com. Cadmium (from smoking), lead, zinc and other heavy metals enhanced mercury toxicity as expected (this research is currently being prepared for publication).

Also on uptake rates what I remember seeing were EPA studies that compared the rates of uptake of various forms of mercury. I was working on emissions control systems for power plants at the time. Mercury is a concern in coal burners and also garbage burners. Easier to deal with in coal burners. If a few trucks bring in a load of fresh grass clippings (with mercury in the fungicides) and another few bring in some loads of construction debris containing gypsum -- you can have some problems.