Study: Environmental Mercury Release, Special Ed Rates, and Autism Disorder: An Ecological Study of Texas

Environmental Mercury Release, Special Education Rates, and Autism Disorder: An Ecological Study of Texas
http://tinyurl.com/68ssl

Raymond F. Palmera, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Steven Blanchard, Zachary Steina, David Mandell and Claudia Millera, a University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio Department of Family and Community Medicine, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA, Department of Sociology, Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas, USA, University of Pennsylvania Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, USA

Abstract
The association between environmentally released mercury, special education and autism rates in Texas was investigated using data from the Texas Education Department and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A Poisson regression analysis adjusted for school district population size, economic and demographic factors was used. There was a significant increase in the rates of special education students and autism rates associated with increases in environmentally released mercury. On average, for each 1000 lb of environmentally released mercury, there was a 43% increase in the rate of special education services and a 61% increase in the rate of autism. The association between environmentally released mercury and special education rates were fully mediated by increased autism rates. This ecological study suggests the need for further research regarding the association between environmentally released mercury and developmental disorders such as autism. These results have implications for policy planning and cost analysis. Contact Information Corresponding author. Tel.: +210 358 3883.

Partial List of Studies Linking Thimerosal / Mercury to Autism

Bernard S, Enayati A, Redwood L, Roger H, Binstock T. Autism: a novel form of mercury poisoning. Med. Hypotheses. 2001 Apr;56(4):462-71. PMID: 11339848

Geier DA, Geier MR. An assessment of the impact of thimerosal on childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Pediatr Rehabil. 2003 Apr-Jun;6(2):97-102.PMID: 14534046
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14534046&dopt=Abstract


Geier MR, Geier DA. Neurodevelopmental disorders after thimerosal-containing vaccines: a brief communication. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2003 Jun;228(6):660-4. PMID: 12773696
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12773696&dopt=Abstract

Geier & Geier. Parents' worries about thimerosal in vaccines are well founded! http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/eletters/112/6/1394

David Baskin, M.D. et al. Thimerosal induces DNA breaks, caspase-3activation, membrane damage, and cell death in cultured human neurons and fibroblasts. Toxicol Sci. 2003 Aug;74(2):361-8. Epub 2003 May 28. PMID:12773768 http://toxsci.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/74/2/361

Mady Hornig, M.D Etiologic factors and pathogenesis of autism: evidence from clinical studies and animal models. IOM presentation, Feb 9 2004
Audio only: http://www.iom.edu/view.asp?id=19108

Richard C. Deth, Ph.D. Effects of Mercury on Methionine Synthase: Implications for Disordered Methylation in Autism DAN! 2003
Philadelphia - http://216.117.159.91/powerpoint/dan2003/RichardDeth.htm

Richard C. Deth, Ph.D. A Link Between Thimerosal and the Brain: Can Vaccines Affect Central Nervous System Function?
Molecular Psychiatry 2004, Volume 9.

Vojdani A, Pangborn JB et al. Infections, toxic chemicals and dietarypeptides binding to lymphocyte receptors and tissue enzymes are majorinstigators of autoimmunity in autism. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2003 Sep-Dec;16(3):189-99. PMID: 14611720

Jeff Bradstreet, M.D. A Case-control Study of Mercury Burden in Children with Autistic Disorders and Measles Virus Genomic RNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Children with Regressive Autism. IOM presentation, Feb 9, 2004
Slides: http://www.iom.edu/view.asp?id=18578 - Audio:http://www.iom.edu/view.asp?id=19130

Valsamakis A et al. Altered virulence of vaccine strains of measles virus after prolonged replication in human tissue. J Virol. 1999 73(10): 8791-7.
PMID 10482633
http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/reprint/73/10/8791.pdf

The CDC's original findings before the CDC began to manipulate the data, obtained via the Freedom of Information Act: High risk values for thimerosal injections and a range of neurologic problems, including ADHD, tics, language problems, and autism. http://factsformedia.com/factsformedia/thimerosalstudy.pdf

Excerpts from CDCs in-house conference: Thimerosal sequelae http://tinyurl.com/17a

Congressman, Dr. Weldon's letter to the CDC director, available at: http://tinyurl.com/4c9x2

Institute of Medicine presentation of Congressman Dave Weldon, M.D. -http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/pdf/Weldon.pdf

Geier MR, Geier DA. Autism and thimerosal-containing vaccines: analysis of the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). IOM presentation, Feb9, 2004.
Slides: http://www.iom.edu/view.asp?id=18392 -- Audio:http://www.iom.edu/view.asp?id=19120

David Baskin, M.D. Relation of Neurotoxic Effects of Thimerosal to Autism. IOM presentation, Feb 9, 2004.
Audio only: http://www.iom.edu/view.asp?id=19124

For more information and resources on autism go to: http://www.autismconcepts.com/.