Mercury, Autism Link Founds, Says New Study
Live in Texas? You might consider a change of scene:
A study to be published on Thursday in the journal "Health and Place" found that autism, a developmental disorder marked by communication and social interaction problems, increased in Texas counties as mercury emissions rose, said Claudia Miller, a family and community medicine professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
"The main finding is that for every thousand pounds of environmentally released mercury, we saw a 17 percent increase in autism rates," she said in an interview.
On second thought, there may be nowhere to run:
About 48 tons of mercury are released into the air annually in the United States from hundreds of coal-burning plants.
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correlational studies
Interesting. But how do they know there is a link?!
Sometimes these correlational studies drive me crazy! I agree we need to look into these things, but this is simply a correlational study! It's like saying - I gained weight this winter. It snowed this winter. Therefore, I am highly suspicious that the snow caused my weight gain. Just not true.
Corrolational Studies
There have been an increase in Autism cases since mercury was used as a preservative in vaccines. I wish I had those study stats to cite here in front of me, I'll find them...
not so much any more
Infant vaccines mostly contain no mercury nowadays, although adult vaccines and flu vaccines still contain traces. But we know mercury is toxic anyway; whether autism is among its ill effects is less relevant than its already-known ill effects, IMO.
If you're concerned, ask
It does happen that infants are still vaccinated with mercury-containing vaccines. Apparently new formulations are not always replacing the old in a timely fashion. You can ask to double check the labeling. This is something I learned from a friend active in a local Autism society, wtih an autistic son.
Regarding correlational studies, keep in mind that although they don't prove direct cause and effect, they typically *do* monitor the presence of other variables and generally would have a control group as well. If you look at *that* data as well, you can decide how relevant you think the correlation is.
Shaun
"Home is where you can say anything you like, 'cause nobody listens to you anyway!" -- anon.
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