The Mercury in Thimerisol

Mercury is a nerve toxin found in soil, water, seafood, food additives, pesticides, cosmetics, hair dyes, amalgam, seeds, fabric softeners, solvents, plastics, batteries, the ink used by tatooers and medications, such as, diuretics, antibiotics, skin antiseptics, vaccines, flu shots, fungicides, anti-parasitics,  and laxatives.  

            Between 1983 and 1985 clusters of MS outbreaks occurred in Key West, Florida. Up to 40 cases were reported following exposure to environmental mercury at a local dump. In Minimata, Japan, thousands developed mercury poisoning from eating contaminated fish. Apparently industrial waste tainted with mercury had been “dumped” into the water system.

In 1969 the FDA set limits for the amount of mercury allowed in food.  This move followed 120 people developing mercury poisoning after eating contaminated fish in Nigata, Japan.

The FDA also initiated a national testing program after finding swordfish and tuna contaminated with high levels of mercury.

In 1971 more than one million cans of tuna were recalled. Between July 1 and December 31, 1989 over 70 % of the 127 shipments of swordfish from 15 countries had illegal levels of mercury.

In March of 1989 largemouth bass caught in the Palm Beach area of Florida contained more than four times the safe mercury levels. The mercury that is found in fish is methyl mercury.  It is this form of mercury that readily crosses the placenta to the developing fetus.

            In Iraq mercury contaminated grains used to make bread caused a large community to develop mercury poisoning. Methyl and ethyl mercury are used to protect cereals and grains against fungal disease. 

            Thimerisol is a mercury based preservative that is added to many products sold today. Thimerisol breaks down into ethyl mercury which is considered as toxic as methyl mercury. The half-life of methyl mercury is approximately 50 days.

            It is found in cosmetics, such as moisturizers, make-up removers and mascara, in soap free cleaners, in eye drops, eardrops, nose drops, eye ointments, antiseptic sprays, cleaning fluids or lubricants for soft contact lenses, topical medications.

            Thimerisol is also widely used in TB tests, vaccines, anti-toxins and solutions for desensitizations. Reading labels of everything including non-food labels becomes important to the mercury sensitive individual. But like any other substances proven to be toxic the human body, new names have been developed.

Thimerisol Containing Substance

Mercurochrome

Merthiolate

Mercurothiolate

Merfamin

Sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate

Thiomerisol

Thiomesalate

Thiomersalan

Piroxican Feldene

Cortisporin Ophthalmic solution

Coly-mycin S. Otic

Cortisporin Otic Suspension

Pediotic Suspension

Nasal Moist AF

Neo-Synephrine (all formulas)