Thimerosal

Thimerosal (sometimes spelled as thimerosol) is a commonly-used preservative, used primarily in children's vaccinations. Its chemical formula is C₉ H₉HgNaO₂S. It has been in use since the 1930s.

Some have hypothesized a relationship between thimerosal exposure from childhood vaccines and autism. However in a 2001 report, the Institute of Medicine concluded "that the evidence is inadequate to either accept or reject a causal relationship between thimerosal exposure from childhood vaccines and the neurodevelopmental disorders." [1] Concerns about mercury toxicity have nevertheless led to the production of many thimerosal-free vaccines.

External links

• http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/112/6/1394 paper showing no harm from thimerosal.
• http://www.testfoundation.org/thimerosal.htm A site campaining against thimerosal in vaccines
• First Coast News a site alleging a CDC coverup.
• A site detailing the lack of connection between thimerosal and developmental disorders.
• Neurotoxic effects of postnatal thimerosal are mouse strain dependent Paper showing thimerosal link to autism in specific strain of mice