Autism - What is the matter?

As a former Special Education teacher, I have seen the number of students with an autism spectrum disorder grow significantly.  It's baffling to say the least as to why.  When we look at all the new chemicals and toxins in the products we use, in the air, in the water, in the home, we can see how these can possibly be the culprit.  Mercury is one of the most targeted toxins.  But there is no way to know for sure.  Just look at the list of products and ingredients that contain Mercury.  As far as I'm concerned, taking these products out of the homes and schools will help as we move closer to finding the reason these children are hindered with this diagnosis.  

This is from an Autism research site (see the link below for the full article and

sourcing.)  

 

Here is the link:
http://www.tacanow.com/containingmercury.htm

What is Autism?

Autism is a devastating neurological and biological disorder that typically affects children between the ages

of 18 months to five years of age. Autism currently affects 1 in every 166 children born today. There

are over 1.5 million people in the United States  alone with autism. Autism affects each individual

differently and at different levels of severity. Some people with autism are severely affected, cannot speak,

require constant one-on-one care, and are never able to live independently. While others are have less

severe symptoms, can communicate, and eventually acquire the necessary skills to live on their own.

Typically, autism affects individuals in four key areas:

• Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
• Social skills
• Behaviors
• Learning

Mercury Containing Chemicals

We have heard a lot in the news about Mercury and Thimersol. These potential harmful ingredients can
be found in MANY commercially available items items per the Environmental Protection Agency. This is
a list of information as of May 2002 from the Environmental Protection Agency provided off the internet.
Here is the link for this information:

• http://www.epa.gov/region01/steward/neeat/mercury/invent.html

Inventory of Mercury Sources in a Health Care Environment
PLEASE visit the site above for the full listing
MERCURY CONTAINING CHEMICALS
Mercury (II) oxide
Mercury chloride
Mercury (II) chloride
Mercury (II) sulfate
Mercury nitrate (for corrosion of copper alloys)
Mercurochrome
Mercury iodide
Mercurial diuretic
Fixatives (many)
"Metexchange" reagent
"Precision" reagent
Preservatives (e.g., Thimerosal, Phenylmercuric acetate, Phenylmercuric nitrate)
Stains (e.g., Carbol-Fuchin, Gram iodine, trichrome blue, mercury chloride, Carbol Gentian violet, Gomori's,
Sulfuric acid (commercial grade, Hg as impurity)
Thimerosal(used in Haemophilus, hepatitis, rabies, tetanus, influenza, diptheria, and pertussis vaccines)
Zenker'ssolution and other histological fixatives


OVER-THE-COUNTER PHARMACEUTICALS CONTAINING MERCURY
Thimerosal
Phenylmercuricacetate used as preservatives
Phenylmercuricnitrate
Opththalmicproducts and contact lens solutions
Nasal sprays (as preservative)
Topical anti-microbials and disinfectants (e.g., Merthiolate,
tinctureof Merthiolate)
Diuretics (mersalyl, salts, mercumatilin, mercuramide,
mercurophylline, mercaptomerin, merethoxylline)
Eye cosmetics
Hemorrhoidalointments (use discontinued in 1995)
Homeopathic remedies (listed as `mercurius' on label)
Merbromin/water solution (used in plastic/reconstructive surgery as
disinfectantand marker)
Mercuric chloride peritoneal lavage in cancer surgery (uncommon in
US)
Skin bleaching creams (OTC use discontinued in early 1970's, but some
prescriptionformulations still available)
Teething powder (discontinued in 1950's)
Human and veterinary vaccines (now being reviewed by FDA)


GENERAL USE PRODUCTS CONTAINING MERCURY
Ajax Powder
Alconoxsoap
BoraxoPads
Comet Cleaner
Derma Scrub
Dove soap
Ivory dishwashing liquid
Joy dishwashing liquid
Kodak Fixer
Kodak Developer
Lysol Direct
Murphy's Oil Soap
Soft Cide Soap (Baxter)
Soft Scrub
Sparkleen detergent
Sunlight dishwashing detergent
Plus, Many greeting cards, gift gadgets, etc have batteries
containingmercury


Note: This information is being provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. We do not warrant
the accuracy of this information. Please check with you local agency for any questions.