Mercury in Vaccines, and Elsewhere

Today's NYT reports on testimony yesterday before a federal panel evaluating whether a link exists between thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in routine childhood vaccines, and rising rates of autism. The epidemiological witnesses tended to discount any connection; the toxicologists seemed readier to perceive one. Among other reasons for investigating the link, the issue recurrently arises in proceedings under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Meanwhile, however, another article in today's Times indicates that if mercury is the cause of increased autism rates, thimerosal from vaccines may not be the only source. The EPA is now estimating that one child in six is at risk for developmental disorders from intra-uterine mercury exposure -- double its previous estimates.