Matthew's Puzzle - Autism Recovery, Gluten Free, Green Living Mom Blog

May 2, 2010
Mercury is one of the most toxic materials known to mankind. It is unique in that it can pass the blood brain barrier (BBB) making it a neurotoxin. In fact it likes to hang out in gray matter and will demyelinate nerves in the brain. It is naturally occurring in the world and has been used for centuries in different ways. It has been used to extract gold and silver ore, in dental fillings (amalgams) and was used in the production of hats – ever hear the term “Mad as a hatter”? Hatters went literally crazy and became irritable and aggressive from using the mercury to fix beaver fur hats into traditional black felt hats so the beaver fur didn’t “turn” rancid on them. Mercury was even used to treat all sorts of illnesses because it was known to kill pathogens. People just didn’t make the connection that if it was killing pathogenic organisms, it was probably killing them too. At one point parents even sprinkled mercury in their infants cribs to protect them from illness! Yikes.

So where does our mercury come from today?
A large part of the mercury in our environment comes from naturally released mercury from the earth through things like volcanic eruptions. The largest amount of man-released mercury comes from coal-fired power plants. So on top of coal mining being one of the most dangerous professions, the coal they mine is then used in coal-fired power plants and releases the largest amount of mercury humans produce! Nice, huh? Maybe we should really get rid of this source of energy. It isn’t doing anyone any good. Probably the next highest mercury release come from the mining of gold and silver ore. Mercury binds with the precious metals and helps mining companies extract more from each mine. Other significant amounts of mercury are released during smelting of non-ferrous metals, cement production, hazardous waste disposal, medical waste, auto parts, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, thermometers and thermostats.

One of the worst industrial disasters in history was caused by the dumping of mercury compounds into Minamata Bay, Japan. The Chisso Corporation, a fertilizer and later petrochemical company, was found responsible for polluting the bay from 1932–1968. It is estimated by the Japanese government that over 3,000 people suffered various deformities, severe mercury poisoning symptoms or death from what became known as Minamata disease. Other groups estimate the actual number of effected people at over 25,000!

Mercury is still being used in dental amalgams (silver fillings), although many dentists are catching on and realizing that putting a filling consisting of 50% mercury in a person’s mouth probably isn’t the brightest idea out there. Especially since every time a person bites or chews, or if they are like me and grind their teeth at night, they are releasing mercury vapors which they are then breathing into their system. How can this possibly be a good idea? Mercury is still in use as a preservative in some vaccines in the form of Thimerosol, and Thimerosol is also used as a preservative in some cosmetics such as mascara.

And of course most Americans are aware of the amount of mercury in fish. Pregnant women are told to avoid consumption of large fish because of the extreme levels of mercury found in their flesh. The mercury bioaccumulates in these larger fish which are higher in the food chain and they become more toxic than even the water they live in.

Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning:
1. Psychological disturbances
Angry fits, short term memory loss, low self esteem, inability to sleep, loss of self-control, sleepiness. Loss of an ability to learn new things, doing things by rote.

2. Oral Cavity problems
Inflammation of the mouth, loss of bone around teeth, ulcerated gums and other areas in the mouth, loose teeth, darkening of gums, taste of metal, bleeding of gums.

3. Digestive tract problems
Cramps, inflamed colon, GI problems, Diarrhea and other digestive problems.

4. Cardiovascular problems
Weak pulse, blood pressure changes, chest pain, or feeling of pressure in the chest area.

5. Respiratory problems
Weakness and problems with breathing, Emphysema, Coughing persistently.

6 Neurological Problems
Headaches, vertigo, tinnitus, shaking in various areas of the body (eye lids, feet etc)

I, and many others like me, believe that mercury poisoning can lead to autism and other autism-like disorders. Many parents chelate their children to remove mercury and other heavy metals. This method, although not supported by the AAP, has been very successful for some children. Many parents report their previously non-verbal child begins talking after chelation. I know that when tested, Matthew showed high levels of mercury, aluminum (also found in most vaccines) and titanium in his system. This is consistent with what I know of other children and is consistent with the Defeat Autism Now! belief that autistic children have detoxification impairment. Which means that autistic children have problems removing toxins, including heavy metals, from their bodies.

What do I think you should walk away with after reading this? Simply that mercury is really bad for you in any form. That is can and does cross the BBB. That it is a neurotoxin and should be avoided. That we need alternative sources of energy because what we are doing now, coal-fired power plants, are just adding to our environmental mercury levels. That mercury bioaccumulates in larger predatory animals. And that mercury, once it enters your body, can be very difficult to get rid of. Demand better energy sources, don’t put silver amalgams in your or your child’s mouth, and demand vaccines that do not have Thimerosol.