Is the Mercury in Thiomersal Dangerous?

Is the Mercury in Thiomersal Dangerous?

Thiomersal is a preservative that is added to  vaccines to prevent contamination. It contains roughly 49% mercury; therefore a vaccine containing the standard Thiomersal dosage of 50mcg contains 25mcg of mercury. For adults, there are thiomersal free and preservative free vaccines. Thiomersal-free has no thiomersal, while preservative free contains trace amounts, or about .3mcg per dose. Although childhood vaccines can no longer contain thiomersal (as of 1999), the government considers the trace amounts in preservative free versions acceptable, plus, any vaccine that was produced prior may be still be used (assuming its shelf date has not expired).

The FDA set the daily safe limit of mercury at 1.0mcg per kg of bodyweight per day to avoid neurological damage. However, paying attention to the weekly average tends to be a more accurate indicator.

The ultimate question of course is,  “Is it Safe”? Continue reading “Is the Mercury in Thiomersal Dangerous” »