Talk of treaty ban on mercury concerns scientists

October 21, 2011 in Health

(AP) -- Scientists are warning officials negotiating a global treaty on mercury that banning the deadly chemical completely would be dangerous for public health because of the chemical's use in vaccines.

The ban option is one of several proposals on the table for a meeting later this month in Nairobi, but a final treaty isn't expected until 2013.

A large number of vaccines - including for diseases such as tetanus, and meningitis - contain mercury compounds, which prevent contamination.

David Wood, a vaccines expert, says not being able to use mercury "is not a viable option."

Most of the concerns about mercury center on emissions from burning coal, gold mining, and people eating fish tainted with the chemical.

More information: http://www.who.int

©2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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dogbert
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1.1 / 5 (12)
Lets see, we need to ban Mercury in the environment, but not if banning it means we have to stop injecting it into our bodies.

The level of mental acumen displayed is awe inspiring.
LVT
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (10)
Isn't Mercury also in those disappointing CFL lights we are being forced to purchase?
rawa1
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (12)
The mercury in vaccines could represent quite relevant link of vaccination to autism during childhood, because mercury is known for inhibiting of neural cell growth for long time. This video is particularly explicit about it.

http://www.youtub...T1yuau_4

Whereas the different forms of mercury are claimed to have different physiological effects, I can't simply believe, they're not metabolized into the same toxic neurodegenerative form inside of human body - soon or later.
rawa1
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (12)
We shouldn't believe the scientists at the moment, when some finding can threat their salaries. The same scientists are intentionally ignoring the cold fusion finding for years. The contemporary scientific ethic is all just about money, as the recent discussion about cloning treaty illustrates clearly.

http://www.aether...memo.gif
rawa1
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1.4 / 5 (11)
caeman
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1.5 / 5 (11)
Mercury is a poison, WHO. You will find another way to package your cures. CFL bulbs possibly the single largest menace to be forced on our homes. I won't allow CFL's in my house and I have stocked up on standard bulbs. I would consider upgrading to LED bulbs.
NotAsleep
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (3)
Vaccines are not linked to autism.

As for CFLs being "the single largest menace to be forced on our homes", consider that more mercury is released by the power plant that powers your incandescent than is released by the combined effects of the CFL and the power used to power it. However, it still remains true that if you had to eat a light bulb, you'd probably be safer eatting an incandescent... I'll cede that argument to you
LVT
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (8)
> I would consider upgrading to LED bulbs.

I would recommend them. Pharox do some nice bulbs.
FrankHerbert
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 2.5 / 5 (8)
Mercury is in vaccines in the same way that hydrogen is in water. Ever try to light water on fire? A chemical compound has properties independent of the elements that comprise it. A compound with mercury in it is not elemental mercury. I'm running out of ways to reword this so if you don't get it, I guess give your money to Jenny McCarthy or do whatever makes you feel better. You sure won't help anyone.

Also, NotAsleep is correct with regards to light bulbs. An incandescent bulb has released more mercury into the atmosphere by the time you screw it in the lamp than a CFL regardless of how it's disposed.

On a side note, I encountered a package of broken CFLs at wall mart the other day. The lady that worked there I told about it had obviously read one too many tea party RE RE RE RE: emails and she thought I was going to die. I probably could have got some free light bulbs out of the deal, but I didn't want to be a hypocrite lol.
kaasinees
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: not rated yet
Mercury is a poison, WHO. You will find another way to package your cures. CFL bulbs possibly the single largest menace to be forced on our homes. I won't allow CFL's in my house and I have stocked up on standard bulbs. I would consider upgrading to LED bulbs.

some LEDs might have mercury in them. LED tech is very diverse.
spiritosl
Oct 21, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (9)
Mercury or other preservatives is just a way to tell the customer that the vaccine is not produced in sterile facilities. Then that vaccine is unfit to inject anyway.
We as the end customer must demand preserve free injections.
pres68y
Oct 27, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (9)
Lets see if I got this right:
CFL bulbs are bad but regular fluorescent are ok since we have been using them for decades without much problem.
Why is this the case since both operate about the same way?
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