The Brookston Family Blog

A new study appears to strengthen the link between the incidence of autism is a given area and the amount of mercury in the surrounding air and water. The study was done in Texas (which has the fourth highest incidence of autism inn the states - California is number one). Here's a link to the story at the Seattle Times. The debate over this generally used to involve the use of mercury in children's vaccines but this story claims their use has been discontinued. I do not believe that that is actually the case, however, as my understanding is that while its use is declining that many vaccines do still contain mercury, including the flu vaccine.

Just to rant for a second on this, you have to wonder what led them to use mercury in the first place. The term "mad hatter" or "mad as a hatter" has its origins in the high proportion of hat makers who went balmy. It was discovered many, many years ago that it was the use of mercury, which was ubiquitous in the manufacture of hats that was causing the large number of insane hat makers. So what genius thought it was a good idea to put mercury in shots given to children? Another case of profits over people is my guess.