What
is Thimerosal?
Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound, or an organomercurial.
Since the 1930s, it has been used as a preservative in a number of biological
and drug products, including many vaccines, to help prevent potentially life
threatening contamination with harmful microbes. First introduced by Eli Lilly
Company, thimerosal is 49.6% mercury by weight and is metabolized or degraded
into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. Today all routinely recommended licensed
pediatric vaccines that are currently being manufactured for the U.S. market
contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts.
Why
is Thimerosal Controversial?
Thimerosal contains mercury, which is a toxic compound that can result in serious
health problems. Toxicity of mercury has been linked to many different diseases,
including autism, learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis,
fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, depression, and bipolar
disorder. Health effects of mercury toxicity have been a concern because of
the potential for it to act as a poison. Toxic doses of mercury can cause developmental
effects in the fetus, as well as affecting the kidney and the nervous system
in children and adults. Mercury exists in a number of different chemical forms,
each one consisting of different levels of toxicity. The forms of mercury can
also be converted from one to another in the environment and in the body, so
symptoms caused by mercury poisoning depends on the precise chemical forms
involved.
What
Does The FDA Say About Thimerosal in Vaccines?
An FDA review concluded that the use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines
might result in the intake of mercury during the first 6 months of life that
exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but not the FDA, the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), or the World Health Organization
(WHO) guidelines for methylmercury intake. Thimerosal contains ethylmercury,
but methylmercury is a related compound and has been more thoroughly researched
than ethylmercury. The FDA concluded that they were one in the same and the
toxicity of ethyl compound is equivalent to the methyl compound. In July of
1999 the Public Health Service agencies (PHS), the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP), and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal levels in vaccines
should be reduced or eliminated as a precautionary measure, and the FDA committed
to expediting the review of new vaccines that do not contain thimerosal.
Why
is Thimerosal a Concern Now If It Has Been Around For Many Years?
In 1997, the FDA Modernization Act called for the FDA to review and assess
the risk of all mercury containing foods and drugs. The FDA conducted a review
of mercury content in vaccines as part of this effort.
What
Has Been Done Since July of 1999 to Remove Thimerosal From Vaccines For
Infants?
Currently all routinely recommended licensed pediatric vaccines that are being
manufactured for the U.S. market contain no thimerosal or contain only trace
amounts of thimerosal. There are now two hepatitis B vaccines that are thimerosal
free, four Hib vaccines are thimerosal free, and two DtaP vaccines are thimerosal
free. Previously the maximum cumulative exposure to mercury by routine childhood
vaccinations during the first six months of life was 187.5 micrograms. The
newly formulated vaccines allow a maximum cumulative exposure during the first
six months of life of less than three micrograms of mercury, a 98% reduction.
But while new vaccines are being implemented, the thimerosal-containing leftover
vaccines are still being administered. In October of 2001 Chairman Dan Burton
(R-IN) had renewed his request to recall all childhood immunizations containing
thimerosal saying, “We cannot in good conscience leave thimerosal-containing
vaccines on the shelf until used up, potentially exposing children to chemicals
that may lead to neuro-developmental disorders. Mercury is toxic to the human
body. I will be sending a letter this week to Secretary Thompson asking that
these products be recalled. In the meantime, I am asking every doctor, every
health clinic, and every facility that provides childhood immunizations to
check your vaccine supplies and return all thimerosal-containing vaccines and
request thimerosal-free vaccines.”
What
is Mercury?
Mercury is the second most toxic element on earth to plutonium. It is a metal,
a naturally occurring chemical element that is found everywhere in the environment.
Toxicity of mercury has been linked to many different diseases, including autism,
learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia,
lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The amount of mercury found in one mercury thermometer is enough to pollute
a small lake. Mercury can be toxic when inhaled, eaten, or when placed on the
skin. Low concentrations of mercury may appear to have no effect but signs
of toxicity can develop later or become more noticeable with continued exposure.
When toxicity in humans takes place loss of feeling or a burning sensation
in arms and legs, psychological effects, loss of memory, loss of vision, loss
of hearing, paralysis, congenital malformations, kidney toxicity, and death
may occur. Prenatal toxicity can result in a child with normal appearance at
birth but who later exhibits a developmental delay in the ability to walk and/or
talk. Because of the long latent period for observable effects, the need for
treatment may be recognized too late.
Why
is Mercury More Dangerous in Children?
Fetuses, infants and small children are more sensitive to mercury because their
brains are still developing. Vaccines with mercury have been considered to
contribute to autism, learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s Disease, and
other neurological conditions, and an FDA review conducted in 1998 determined
that, at the time, children who received the full complement of childhood vaccines
were potentially exposed to levels of mercury that were sometimes 30 to 50
times the acceptable levels established by the EPA. The number of children
that have been affected by autism had made a drastic jump from 1 in 2,000 in
1970 to 1 in 250 in 2000, and the number of children diagnosed with learning
disabilities is now 1 in 5.
How
can mercury affect children?
Since very young children are more sensitive to mercury than adults, children
can become poisoned by mercury and develop nervous and digestive system problems
and kidney damage. Pregnant woman who ingest mercury at high levels can pass
harmful effects to the developing fetus including brain damage, mental retardation,
lack of coordination, blindness, seizures, and an inability to speak.
What
is Autism?
Autism is a neurological disorder that usually appears within the first couple
years of a child’s life. Sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioral
functions of an individual are characteristics of the disorder. Autism is the
third most common child development disorders in the U.S.
What
is a Vaccine?
A vaccine is a preparation containing the weakened or killed microorganisms
that cause a particular disease. When these substances are injected or taken
orally, the body stimulates the immune system to produce the necessary defenses
against that disease. Adverse reactions to vaccines can occur because of the
organisms introduced into the body.
Do
Vaccines Have Side Effects?
Vaccines do have side effects, though not normally very serious. Some side
effects may include:
Which
Vaccines Contain Thimerosal?
| DTaP | Acel-Imune Lederle Laboratories |
| Tripedia | Pasteur Merieux Connaught |
| Certiva | North American Vaccine |
| DTwP | All products |
| DT | All products |
| Td | All products |
| TT | All products |
| DtwP-Hib | Tetramune Lederle Laboratories |
| TriHIBit | Pasteur Merieux Connaught |
| HibTITER (multidose) | Lederle Laboratories |
| ProHIBit4 | Pasteur Merieux Connaught |
| Hepatitis B virus | Engerix-B SmithKline Beecham |
| Recombivax HB | Merck |
| Influenza | All |
| Meningococcal | Menomune
A, C, AC and A/C/Y/W-135 CLI |
| Pneumococcal | Pnu-Imune
23 Lederle Laboratories |
| Rabies | Rabies
Vaccine Adsorbed BioPort Corporation |
What
Can I Do If I Feel My Child Was Harmed As the Result of a Thimerosal-Containing
Vaccine?
We have provided contact
us information so that we can answer any questions you might have and to
be able to properly assess if you have a case. Currently, there are a number
of lawsuits that were announced the day after the National Academy of Sciences
releases a report saying researchers still are unable to determine if there
is a link between thimerosal and disorders in children. Lawsuits have been
filed due to the drug company’s failure to disclose to doctors how much
mercury was contained in the vaccines until Congress ordered the FDA to find
out in 1997. Defendants include drug companies Aventis Pasteur Inc., Pasteur
Merieux Connaught, Pfizer Inc., a subsidiary of Warner-Lambert, GlaxoSmithKline,
Merck & Co., Abbott Laboratories, American Home Products, Wyeth-Ayerst
Laboratories, Lederle Laboratories, Baxter International Inc., Eli Lilly & Co.,
Integra Chemical Co., Sigma Chemical Co., and Aldrich Chemical Co.
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