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For example, they are both toxic to neuronal neurotubules, Hallelujah! For a brief moment I think they have stumbled on interfere with antioxidant enzymes, poison DNA repair enzymes, one of the most basic concepts in neurotoxicology. Then Dr interfere with mitochondrial energy production, block the Meyers dashes my hopes by saying that single, separated doses glutamate reuptake proteins (GLT-1 and GLAST), bind to DNA would not affect blood levels at all. and interfere with neuronal membrane function. Toxins that share At this juncture, we need a little enlightenment. It is important toxic mechanisms are almost always additive and frequently to appreciate that mercury is a fat-soluble metal; that is, it is synergistic in their toxicity. So, Dr Johnson's statement is sheer _ stored in the body's fat. The brain contains 60% fat and therefore nonsense. is acommon site for mercury storage. Now, they establish in this A significant number of studies show that both of these metals discussion that about half the methylmercury is excreted over sev- play a major role in all of the neurodegenerative disorders. It is eral months when ingested. also important to remember that both of these metals accumulate A recent study found that ethylmercury has a half-life of seven in the brain and spinal cord. This makes them accumulative tox- days. Even so, a significant proportion of the mercury will enter ins and therefore makes them much more dangerous than rapidly the brain (it has been shown to pass easily through the blood-brain excreted toxins. barrier), where it is stored in the phospholipids (fats). With each To jump ahead, on page 23 Dr Tom Sinks, Associate Director | new dose—and remember, these children receive as many as 22 for Science at the National Center for Environmental Health at the doses of these vaccines—another increment is added to the brain CDC and Acting Division Director for the Division of Birth storage depot. This is why we call mercury an accumulative Defects, Developmental Disabilities and Health, as "Iwonder poison. They never once, not once, mention this vital fact is there a particular health outcome that is related to aluminum throughout the entire conference. Not once. Moreover, they do salts that may have anything that we are looking at today?" Dr so for a good reason: it gives the unwary, those not trained in Martin Meyers, Acting Director of neuroscience, assurance that all that the National Vaccine Program matters here is the blood level. Office, answers: "No, I don't believe In fact, on page 163, Dr Robert there are any particular health It is important to appreciate that Brent, a developmental biologist and concerns that were raised." This is . paediatrician at Thomas Jefferson after an aluminium conference held mercury isa fat-soluble metal; University and Dupont Hospital for the previous year that did indeed find Aa AA A , Children, says that we don't have data significant health concerns and an that Is, it Is stored In the body s showing accumulation and that "with extensive scientific literature fat. The brain contains 60% fat the multiple exposures you get an showing aluminium to be of great and therefore is acommon site increasing level, and we don't know concern. whether that is true or not". He On page 24, Dr William Weil, a for mercury storage. redeems himself somewhat by point- paediatrician representing the ing out that some of the damage is Committee on Environmental Health irreversible and that more irreversible of the American Academy of damage occurs with each dose, and in Pediatrics, brings some sense to the dis- that way it is accumulative. cussion by reminding participants of "...a host of neurodevelop- On page 21, Dr Thomas Clarkson makes an incredible state- mental data that would suggest that we've got a serious problem. ment, implying that he knows of no studies which show that expo- The earlier we go, the more serious the problem." Here he means sure to mercury after birth or at six months would have deleteri- that the further back you go during the child's brain development, ous effects. Dr Isabelle Rapin, a neurologist for children at Albert the more likely the damage to the infant. I must give him credit; Einstein College of Medicine, follows up by saying she is "not an at least he briefly recognises that a significant amount of brain expert on mercury in infancy" but knows mercury can affect the development does take place later. He also reminds his col- nerves (peripheral nervous system). So, here is one of our experts leagues that aluminium produces severe dementia and death in admitting that she knows little about the effects of mercury on the dialysis cases. He concludes by saying, "To think there isn't some infant. My question is: why is she here? Dr Rapin states that she possible problem here is unreal" (page 25). has a keen interest in developmental disorders, in particular those Not to let it end there, Dr Meyers adds: "We held the alu- involving language and autism, yet she knows little about the minum meeting in conjunction with the metal ions in biology and _ effects of mercury on the infant brain. medicine meeting; we were quick to point out that in the absence This conference is concerned with the effects of mercury in the of data, we didn't know about additive or inhibitory activities." form of thimerosal on infant brain development, yet throughout Once again, we see the "no data" ploy. There are abundant data _ this conference our experts, especially the "vaccinologists", seem on the deleterious effects of aluminium on the brain, a significant to know little about mercury except limited literature that shows portion of which came out in that very meeting. no toxic effects except at very high levels. None of the well- known experts was invited, such as Dr Ascher from Bowman MERCURY NEUROTOXICITY Grey School of Medicine or Dr Haley Boyd, who has done exten- Dr Johnson also quotes Dr Thomas Clarkson (who identifies sive work on the toxic effects of low concentrations of mercury himself as associated with the mercury program at the University on the central nervous system (CNS). They were not invited of Rochester) as saying that delaying the HepB vaccine for six because they would be harmful to the true objective of this meet- months or so would not affect the mercury burden (page 20). He ing, which was to exonerate mercury in vaccines. makes the correct conclusion when he says: "I would have Several times throughout this conference, Dr Brent reminds thought that the difference was in the timing. That is, you are everyone that the most sensitive period for the developing brain is protecting the first six months of the developing central nervous during the early stages of pregnancy. In fact, he pinpoints the 8th system." to 18th weeks as the period of neuromaturation. In fact, the most MERCURY NEUROTOXICITY Dr Johnson also quotes Dr Thomas Clarkson (who identifies himself as associated with the mercury program at the University of Rochester) as saying that delaying the HepB vaccine for six months or so would not affect the mercury burden (page 20). He makes the correct conclusion when he says: "I would have thought that the difference was in the timing. That is, you are protecting the first six months of the developing central nervous system." NEXUS + 21 and therefore is a common site for mercury storage. DECEMBER 2004 — JANUARY 2005 www.nexusmagazine.com