Mercury Release Linked to Autism Rates in Texas School Districts, Researchers Find
SAN ANTONIO, TX — April 8, 2005 — Texas researchers may have found a link between mercury exposure and autism in school children (Health and Place, online Feb 17, 2005). After looking at special education and autism rates in 1,200 school districts, they considered the amount of mercury in the environment in these areas based on data from the Environmental Protection Agency. For every 1,000 pounds of mercury released into the air, the rate of autism increased by 61%. This connection was independent of the number of children served in that district, district wealth, ethnic make–up, and community type.
“This line of research has important implications for public health policy and supports prior recommendations for reducing environmentally released mercury,” the report authors said. They recommended future studies to investigate the association between mercury and developmental disabilities.
Autism Rates are Increasing
Autism is a developmental disorder. Children with the condition are unable to communicate or form social relationships and live in a “world of their own.” Some engage in compulsive behaviors such as rocking or banging.
The rate of autism is increasing, according to a study based on data from the Office of Special Education Programs in the US Department of Education (Pediatrics. 2005 Mar; 115(3): e277–82). The report looked at statistics for children 6 to 17 years old during the period 1992 through 2001, and found that the rate of increase was greatest among younger children. Estimates of the current autism rate range from 3 per 1,000 to 1 in 166 (LA Times, March 17, 2005, JAMA, 2003 Jan; 289(1)).
Mercury Exposure
Mercury pollution occurs through releases from power plants, coal plants, metal smelters, cement manufacturers, and municipal landfills. However, a new EPA rule removes mercury from the list of hazardous pollutants. Instead, its “cap and trade” program cuts emissions at some but not all power plants. Consumer and environmental groups say that the new rule is too lax and delays needed reductions of mercury emissions by decades.
Another problem is that some vaccines may still contain the preservative, thimerosal, which is about 50% mercury by weight. The National Autism Association believes that thimerosal–containing vaccines are linked to an increased autism risk (ABC News Online, March 7, 2005). Although the Centers for Disease Control has not found such a tie, it does not rule out the possibility.
One recent study compared thimerosal–containing diphtheria/tetanus vaccines with the same vaccines without thimerosal (Med Sci Monit. 2005 Mar 24; 11(4): CR160–170; also see Int J Toxicol. 2004 Nov–Dec; 23(6): 369–76). It followed patients from 1997 through 2001, and found an increased risk for autism among those who received the thimerosal–containing vaccines.
At Brayton Purcell, we are concerned about unsafe vaccines, including those containing thimerosal. If you or your child have had medical problems due to harmful prescription drugs or vaccines, please feel free to contact us at Brayton Purcell to learn about your legal options. We have been handling medical/legal cases for over 20 years, and there is no charge for our initial consultation.