Today, I was made aware of yet another indicator that mercury toxicity may be at the center (or at least a MAJOR player) in the increased autism rates in recent years. This latest study, done by David Geier and Dr. Mark Geier is to be published in the Spring 2006 American Journal of Physicians and Surgeons. A pre-published copy of the report is here.

The researchers conclude that the significant decrease in the number of newly-diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in children between mid-2002 and 2005 corresponds with the recommendation of removing thimerosal from vaccines. Thimerosal is a preservative found in many vaccines (still found in flu and other vaccines routinely given to children. It contains high levels of mercury and when children are given several vaccines at once, the toxic load of mercury on their system is well over the EPA daily exposure limit.

Controversies abound as to whether mercury from vaccines "cause" autism. Passionate people fight on both sides of the argument. The CDC denies that thimerosal in the vaccines is a factor and has commissioned several studies throughout recent years to prove their point. Others see it differently. DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) doctors believe that they can reverse the effects of autism through nutritional supplement, detoxification processes, and other metobolic changes. They are making strides in that regard, all further pointing to an environmental trigger for autism.

The most damning of all evidence that mercury in vaccines may be a factor is the overall increase of autism rates between 1989 and 2003. The incidence of autism (and other related disorders) went from about 1 in 2,500 children to 1 in every 166. Autism is debilitating thousands of children and devasting their families, overwhelming schools' special education programs, and costing society dearly. It is hard to argue that a genetic-based disorder could have an exponential explosion like that.

Resources to learn more about the movement to recover children affected by autism include:

www.danconference.com
The Autism Research Institute
www.tacanow.com