Is mercury exposure a contributor to ASD?
Autism Society of America: Environmental Health Frequently A...The role of mercury as a risk factor for childhood autism is not fully understood; however, it has been shown that mercury can interfere with the signaling pathways in a child’s developing brain and the modulation of proteins that regulate the immune system (see Understanding Mercury, Understanding Autism by Ellen Silbergeld, Ph.D., and Jennifer Nyland, Ph.D.).
Related QuestionsAre pesticides a potential contributor to ASD?
Autism Society of America: Environmental Health Frequently A...Some children who are genetically at risk for ASD may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of pesticide exposure. Research shows that several genes associated with autism risk encode for proteins that regulate excitation/inhibition within the central nervous system. Several of these neurotransmitter systems are known to be targets of pesticides frequently found in children (see Can Exposure to Environmental Toxicants Influence Autism Susceptibility? by Isaac N. Pessah, Ph.D.).
Related QuestionsWhy is exposure to mercury a concern?
FDA/CBER - Thimerosal in Vaccines Frequently Asked Questions...Mercury is an element that is dispersed widely around the earth. Most of the mercury in the water, soil, plants and animals is found as inorganic mercury salts. Mercury accumulates in the aquatic food chain, primarily in the form of the methylmercury, an organomercurial. Methylmercury is more easily absorbed and is less readily eliminated from the body than inorganic mercury. Exposure to one chemical with mercury, i.e., methylmercury, has been shown to pose a variety of health risks to humans.
Related QuestionsAre there any standards or guidelines to protect the public from exposure to mercury?
Mercury Q & AThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set an action level of 1 part of methylmercury in a million parts (ppm) of seafood. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guideline for issuing a fish consumption advisory for mercury is 0.5 ppm. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a limit of 2 parts per billion (ppb) in drinking water for inorganic mercury. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set limits of 0.
Related QuestionsHow can families reduce the risk of exposure to mercury?
ATSDR - ToxFAQs™: MercuryCarefully handle and dispose of products that contain mercury, such as thermometers or fluorescent light bulbs. Do not vacuum up spilled mercury, because it will vaporize and increase exposure. If a large amount of mercury has been spilled, contact your health department. Teach children not to play with shiny, silver liquids. Properly dispose of older medicines that contain mercury. Keep all mercury-containing medicines away from children.
Related QuestionsWho is a contributor?
Open Content Alliance (OCA) - F.A.QContributors to the OCA include individuals or institutions who donate collections, services, facilities, tools, or funding to the OCA.
Related QuestionsHow do I become a Fotolia contributor?
Fotolia.com - FAQ: Frequently Asked QuestionsEveryone can become a Fotolia contributor. If you have great images (JPEG or SVG) then you may create an account and submit your images for us to review. Before you may upload your images, you will need to complete our online training found on the "Information and Rights" page. After successfully completing the training you may upload images by going to the "My photos" page and clicking on one of the upload options (simple upload, JAVA upload, or FTP).
Related QuestionsWhat are the impacts of mercury exposure on humans?
FAQHumans are exposed to mercury through their diet (primarily through fish), absorption, or through the inhalation of toxic elemental mercury fumes. Signs and symptoms of brief exposure may include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and bronchitis. Long-term exposure can result in shakiness, tremors, loss of muscle control, memory loss, kidney disease, and loss of appetite and weight.
Related QuestionsContact Britannia.orgWe have contributors from all over the world who have written articles, provided photographs and illustrations to britannia.org. If you would like to contribute, please query us via our Contact Us form.Related Questions
Sex, Etc. -- FAQs About ContributorsYou will contribute your unique voice as a teen writer to our award-winning magazine and Web site. You will submit your own feature stories to Sex, Etc. and produce other site content. You will be making a difference. Teen readers tell us that Sex, Etc. helps them make better choices about sex, relationships and the future. You’ll get a chance to honestly explore important topics about sexuality. And you will be paid $75 for each story we publish.Related Questions
Is mercury from thimerosal a major source of mercury exposure in infants?
Thimerosal FAQ - from the FDATo answer this question, one must compare an infant’s environmental exposure (primarily the diet) to mercury exposure from vaccines. However, limited information is available on dietary exposure to mercury in infants less than 6 months of age. In addition, dietary exposure of infants to organic mercury occurs in the form of methylmercury, while exposure to mercury in vaccines occurs as ethylmercury, which may have different toxicity.
Related QuestionsWho should be concerned about exposure to large amounts of mercury?
Forest Lane Pediatrics Blair Straughn McGonnell Liu DallasPregnant women, nursing mothers, and young infants should be especially careful about mercury exposure. Some fish contain high levels of organic mercury. State health, environmental and conservation officials have information about which fish to avoid in your state. Pediatricians can also give parents advice about avoiding exposure. Although vaccine-preventable diseases are at record low numbers, the organisms that cause these diseases are still present.
Related QuestionsAre children more sensitive to mercury exposure effects than adults?
FAQ ::Yes. Unborn infants and baby are up to 4x more sensitive to the same amount of mercury exposure. Even when pregnant mothers who are exposed to small doses of mercury do not show any symptoms of mercury poisoning, their borned infants will most likely show some symptoms.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of mercury poisoning (especially chronic exposure) ?
FAQ - MyVits.comThis depends upon the organs involved, but also may be inconsistent as various physiologic compensations may occur. Symptoms of mercury toxicity may be elusive and easily confused with symptoms of other mental and physical conditions, especially Alzheimer's disease and dementia in the elderly. Some signs and symptoms of mercury toxicity are listed below:
Related QuestionsWhat is the relationship between environmental toxins and ASD?
Autism Society of America: Environmental Health Frequently A...Findings indicate that many children with autism or those who are at risk of developing autism have a metabolic impairment that reduces their ability to rid their bodies of heavy metals and other toxins. Build-up of these toxins in the body can lead to brain and nervous system damage and developmental delays (see We’re Loaded with Toxins: Analyzing the Toxic Body Burden of Americans by Judy Chinitz Gorman).
Related QuestionsWhat is autoimmunity and what is its relationship to ASD?
Autism Society of America: Environmental Health Frequently A...Autoimmunity is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Several studies show that autoimmune activity can be associated with ASD in some cases, but it has not been determined if this activity contributes to the development of the disorder or if it is a consequence of the disease (see Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Immune System by Paula Goines, B.S., Paul Ashwood, Ph.D., and Judy Van de Water, Ph.D.).
Related QuestionsHave some children with autism recovered from ASD?
Autism Society of America: Environmental Health Frequently A...There are reported cases that some children with autism have substantially or completely recovered. Commonweal, a non-profit health and environmental research institute, is conducting an autism recovery documentation project that will provide a detailed report of a number of verifiable recoveries from ASD (see Helping to Shift the Paradigm: Learning More About Recovery in Autism by Robert Sinaiko).
Related QuestionsWhat Is ASD?
About.com Parenting Special Needs: Most Popular ArticlesYou can't believe some of the things people say to you about your special-needs child or your parenting. If you can't avoid those folks who can't say anything nice, you can manage their behavior -- and yours -- more effectively. Which is best for your child -- a special needs camp, a community camp, or a summer spent at home with you? Learn the pros and cons of each, find out what questions to ask, and get started with giving your child the best summer ever.
Related QuestionsHow many children in the United States have an ASD?
FAQs - Prevalence, Autism, DD, NCBDDD, CDCThere is not a full population count of all individuals with an ASD in the United States. However, using the prevalence data stated above, we can estimate that if 4 million children are born in the United States every year and assuming the prevalence rate has been constant over the past two decades, we can estimate that up to 560,000 individuals between the ages of 0 to 21 have an ASD. However, many of these individuals may not be classified as having an ASD until school-age or later.
Related QuestionsWhat causes ASD?
AutismHelp Frequently Asked QuestionsThe specific cause of ASD is not known however researchers around the world are exploring different theories and trying to identify the specific gene or genes that may cause autism. It is known that there are biological or neurological differences in the brains of people with autism. There are several outdated theories concerning the cause of ASD; it is not caused by bad parenting and it is not a mental illness.
Related QuestionsIs ASD hereditary?
AutismHelp Frequently Asked QuestionsIn many families, there is a pattern of ASD or related disabilities, suggesting that there is a genetic basis to the disorder. There is some tendency for ASD to cluster in families with the incidence rate amongst siblings 50 times that of the general population.
Related QuestionsWhat is the incidence of ASD?
AutismHelp Frequently Asked QuestionsStudies suggest the prevalence is somewhere between 1 in 200 - 500. In recent years there has been a large increase in the number of children diagnosed with ASD, particularly those in the high functioning category. This is probably due to a broadening of the criteria for diagnosis, and better diagnostics methods enabling detection at a very young age.
Related QuestionsHow is ASD diagnosed?
AutismHelp Frequently Asked QuestionsAutism is diagnosed by examining the child’s development and behaviours. Sometimes autism can be difficult to diagnose so it is important to have a comprehensive assessment to distinguish ASD from a range of other difficulties. assessment by a paediatrician is required prior to an assessment for ASD in order to rule out other factors including medical conditions that may be affecting the child’s development and behaviour. A hearing assessment may also be required.
Related Questions