Mercury in Vaccines Isn't Toxic
The Claim
Vaccines have mercury in them, a substance known to cause health problems.
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Emerging story
Many vaccines contain a preservative called thimerosal. Its purpose is to prevent contamination from harmful microbes. It also is about 50 percent mercury. Mercury is infamous for causing “mad hatters’ disease,” a form of mercury poisoning that causes psychosis. It also causes a myriad of other harmful effects, including depression, anxiety, vision problems, and other neurological issues. Since mercury is in vaccines, some people assume that vaccines can poison people too.
Misbar’s Analysis
This myth comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of chemistry and biology. It’s worth pointing out that thimerosal has been taken out of children’s vaccines, so as to reduce the chance that worried parents will refrain from vaccinating their children.
However, there is not enough mercury in vaccines to affect patients. In these vaccines, only .001 percent of the volume has mercury in it. Vaccines contain about the same amount of mercury as a 3oz can of tuna. The FDA recommends that people eat 3-5oz cans of tuna 2-3 times a week to get a good amount of omega-3. Further, there is plenty of evidence that shows that thimerosal is perfectly safe. The amount present in vaccines has no harmful effects.
