Mercury Exposure to Infants

Thimerosal was approved by the FDA over 60 years ago, to be used as a preservative. The danger associated with thimerosal is that it contains 49.5% ethyl mercury by weight; mercury has long been the source of many health problems.

Mercury is especially toxic to the developing fetus and infant brain. It is poisonous at any level of exposure.

According to the FDA, “Infants who receive thimerosal-containing vaccines at several visits may be exposed to mercury in amounts higher than recommended by Federal guidelines for total lifetime exposure.”

If an infant follows the Center of Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Schedule, they would be exposed to 187.5 mcg of ethyl mercury, depending on the manufacturer. The total amount through 18 months could reach 237.5 mcg.

If an average infant (5 kg) received all thimerosal-containing vaccines at his 2 months visit, the exposure just for that day would be 62.5 mcg – an exposure 125 above the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) guidelines. The dose the EPA allows is .1 mcg, per kilogram, per day.

Source: Vitamin Research News, May 2001, Vol. 15, No. 5, pp. 1, 10-12