Thimerosal is an organomercury compound primarily used in vaccines and antiseptic medications.Thimerosal’s oligodynamic effect is how the chemical prevents the growth of bacteria at a wound site, and prevents bacterial contamination when doses are drawn from a multidose vial. The structure of the chemical features two ligands (the thiolate and the ethyl group) attached to a Hg atom. The chemical has become the subject of much controversy after many media platforms have given a voice to the anti-vaxxer movement, which demands that the compound be placed on the national banned chemical list by the DPS (Department of Public Safety), due to fears of Thimerosal causing autism and other brain development disorders . This document was written …show more content…
Two significant facts about the mercury compound found in Thimerosal make it safer; the incredibly small concentration of mercury, and the use of the ethylmercury. Firstly, the highest concentration of thimerosal that is used in vaccine preservations is only 0.01%, meaning that only 25 micrograms of mercury are present per 0.5 mL dose.That is extremely inconsequential when compared to the real sources of mercury pollution; air and water emissions from gold-mining Chloralkali plants and the discharge of dental amalgams. This small amount of mercury is also less likely to make its way into the environment in the first place, due to the nature of vaccines as a product to not be so easily discarded in the environment, in contrast to mercury products such as batteries. Secondly, the use of methylmercury means that subsequent pollution of the environment with the drug will not lead to bioaccumulation, (the presence of large amounts of pollutants in top consumers of the food chain) in ecosystems. This is because, unlike other types of mercury compounds like methylmercury, ethylmercury can clear through the bloodstream extremely quickly, meaning that pollution of the environment with Thimerosal will not lead to negative effects on the tertiary consumers of ecosystems (such as large fish). The lack of bioaccumulation and incredibly small concentrations of pollutant is why the chemical Thimerosal has negligible negative effects on the environment and thus, environmental worries are not ground for placing the chemical on the ban
While discussing toxins and mercury containing vaccines, Biss eloquently differentiates fear and reality by stating, “If we do not yet know exactly what the presence of a vast range of chemicals in umbilical cord blood and breast milk might mean for the future of our children’s health, we do at least know that we are no cleaner, even at birth, than our environment at large. We are already polluted.” This is a very persuasive yet truth-provoking concept, which it brings the reader to a revelation. Before Biss introduces this idea, she expresses her own fear of toxins by relating it to breastfeeding and the first time her son drank water wanting to scream “Unclean! Unclean!” just like the heroine from Dracula.
However, in recent times we know that it is also a genetic factor and environmental factor which brings this upon babies. Matsuzaki states, “ genetic and environmental factors play a major role in the development of autism. However, most cases are idiopathic, and no single factor can explain the trends in the pathology and prevalence of autism. At the time of this writing, autism is viewed more as a multifactorial disorder” (Matsuzaki). At the time of the MMR vaccine was being distributed to children it was the age that autism shows most
Knopf, Alison. “MMR vs. Austism: A False Choice.” The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, April 2015 Supplement, Vol. 31: 1-2. Academic Search Complete. Web.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Shasta Lake contains dangerous levels of mercury in its water. This contamination has spread to the wildlife inhabiting the lake, specifically fish, and poses a threat to millions of people who visit the lake every year. Despite the evident pollution, no mention of the mercury is mentioned in California Fish and Wildlife Sport Fishing booklet, which would inform fisherman of the contamination. Additionally, the Bureau of Reclamation refuses to erect warning signs around the lake until certain protocol is followed and more data regarding the issue is collected. The high levels of mercury found in the lake is a result of the Gold Rush in California in the 1800s.
Mercury is a harmful toxin that can cause serious health problems to the human nervous system. The reason why dolphin meat has such a high level of mercury is because dolphins eat other fish and the more fish they eat, the more mercury they have in their systems. The dumb Japanese hunters
Summary and Reflection on The Panic Virus Amid the ongoing dispute that links vaccines with autism, Seth Mnookin has published The Panic Virus in 2011. Due to what must be the success of the book, the author has re-published the book with an afterword in 2012. The book’s purpose is to provide perception of the truth using scientific facts and evidence. The author’s curiosity and interest in the issue grew after the realization of the suspicion of his friends toward the medical establishment and instead rely on journalism and media.
The refining process, only possible through mercury amalgamation, was harmful to anyone who came
Those who oppose infant vaccinations believe that they cause a host of chronic, incurable, and life threatening diseases. To start off with the most debatable issue which is that mercury found in vaccines as a preservative leads to autistic spectrum disorders especially since it is given to infants at critical developing periods. According to a study, mercury levels are decreasing in the blood after being given the shot, thus believing that vaccines containing thimerosal which is an organomecury compound are safe to use (Pichichero et al, 2000). According to a more thorough study , mercury is not leaving the body or disappearing but traveling to the brain and turning into inorganic mercuric chloride (Burbacher et al, 2005).In the US, the commonness
That small amount of special metal will not go far so going back into the earth and bring out all these toxins will happen until enough is gathered. Once we make the switch to all self-driving vehicles all these toxins will be in the air. “Some of the ideas for saving fuel and reducing carbon footprints require a less complex
B: Lots of what is put in vaccines is found in other medications or in food. Body2 These illnesses aren’t all that bad. A: The risk of getting really sick from the
al. found out that 2,4,5-T can cause birth defects and stillbirths in mice. Some other studies have shown also an increase in the cancer mortality rate for workers exposed in the same chemical. After some other studies and investigations, it was discovered and it was
Given that the parent has the complete right to decide for their newborns (since newborns are not capable of making the decision for themselves), should that individual be allowed to not vaccinate their newborns? Mill would most likely respond that the individual is free to not vaccinate their child unless it harms other people. Before we ultimately discern Mill’s position on whether society has authority over the individual’s decision in this case of vaccination, we must explain why there are anti-vaccination groups prevalent in societies today. The main issue anti-vaccination groups have with vaccines is that anti-vaccination groups believe that the substance called thimerosal, which is found in trace amounts, contributes to the development
The topic I read about was weather there is a relation between Autism and the vaccinations that those who have the disorder may have received. Autism is a brain disorder that normally shows by age three, people tend to have impaired communication and interpersonal skills along with so restricted or repetitive behavior. The two articles go over how a key ingredient in vaccines may cause this disorder, while the other aims to show how the relation is nothing more than a myth. The first article was on how autism is caused by vaccines, and is called “Deadly Immunity” by Robert E Kennedy Jr. One of the main points of this article was how one of the main ingredients called thimerosal and its main ingredient ethylmercury which was in most vaccines until the early 2000’s is the main cause for autism in child, because it’s a toxic chemical. There have been studies that have proven thimerosal accumulates in the brains of animals after they had been vaccinated, also even small amount of the ethylmercury can cause brain damage even years later.
Thimerosal is an ingredient in influenza shots and is rumored to cause brain damage. This rumor was made popular by internet forums but the truth is, there is no evidence this chemical causes illness in humans and babies who are strictly breastfed come into contact with much greater amounts of thimerosal than are in vaccinations. Some chemicals used can be dangerous in large amounts, but are not harmful in the small amounts present in vaccinations (Bronfin
Modern medicine provides people with the ability to protect themselves from the world’s most fatal diseases. Merely a century ago, it was not uncommon for a child to die as a result of diseases such as polio, pertussis, and tuberculosis. Today, it is highly unlikely for a person to contract these diseases, let alone die from them. However, refusal of vaccinations has been increasing throughout the years due to the anti-vaccination movement. This movement declares mandatory vaccines unconstitutional and vaccinations overall as the cause of autism.