Mercury and AutismMercury and Autism

Charles LamarCharles LamarEnvironmental Testing LaboratoriesEnvironmental Testing Laboratories

Patty ElsPatty ElsEnvironmental Testing LaboratoriesEnvironmental Testing Laboratories

Ed IrwinEd IrwinFreeport High SchoolFreeport High School

IntroductionIntroduction

Mercury is a metallic element that is liquid at room Mercury is a metallic element that is liquid at room temperature and is used in thermometers, barometers, vapor lamps, temperature and is used in thermometers, barometers, vapor lamps, batteries, and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. In short, batteries, and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. In short, everyone is exposed to varying levels of mercury, whether it be everyone is exposed to varying levels of mercury, whether it be through vaccination, absorption in the womb, the consumption of through vaccination, absorption in the womb, the consumption of contaminated seafood, or a workplace accident.contaminated seafood, or a workplace accident.

Autism, otherwise known as autism spectrum disorder, is one Autism, otherwise known as autism spectrum disorder, is one of the five Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The disorder is of the five Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The disorder is expressed in varying degrees of disability. expressed in varying degrees of disability.

ASD is a disability resulting from a neurological disorder that ASD is a disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. People with ASD often affects the normal functioning of the brain. People with ASD often display difficulties in the areas of verbal communication, social display difficulties in the areas of verbal communication, social

interaction, and leisure activity.interaction, and leisure activity.

……ContinuedContinued

ASD is the most prevalent of the Pervasive ASD is the most prevalent of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders. An estimated 1 in 166 Developmental Disorders. An estimated 1 in 166 births are affected. Currently, there are several births are affected. Currently, there are several methods of treatment but there are no known methods of treatment but there are no known means of prevention. means of prevention.

Modern methods of treatment include Modern methods of treatment include chelation therapy. This is the process by which therapy. This is the process by which heavy metals are removed from the bloodstream. heavy metals are removed from the bloodstream.

It has been suggested in recent years that It has been suggested in recent years that there is a direct correlation between the there is a direct correlation between the

level of mercury exposure a person receives level of mercury exposure a person receives during early development and their chances during early development and their chances

of developing autistic tendencies. of developing autistic tendencies.

ProblemProblemIf all people are exposed to mercury in some If all people are exposed to mercury in some

form or another, why doesn’t everyone form or another, why doesn’t everyone develop ASD?develop ASD?

There are two primary research questions There are two primary research questions being addressed by this study:being addressed by this study: 1. Is cold vapor atomic absorption capable of quantitatively measuring the level 1. Is cold vapor atomic absorption capable of quantitatively measuring the level

of mercury excreted in head hair?of mercury excreted in head hair?

2. Can levels of excreted mercury in head hair be used as an accurate 2. Can levels of excreted mercury in head hair be used as an accurate indicator of autistic spectrum disorder?indicator of autistic spectrum disorder?

MaterialsMaterials

Potassium Potassium Permanganate Permanganate

Stannous-ChlorideStannous-Chloride Argon GasArgon Gas Nitric AcidNitric Acid Sulfuric AcidSulfuric Acid Reagent Grade Reagent Grade

WaterWater Mercury AnalyzerMercury Analyzer

BOD BottlesBOD Bottles Water BathWater Bath Analytical BalanceAnalytical Balance Hair samplesHair samples

PROCEDUREPROCEDURE

The parent of each Autistic volunteer The parent of each Autistic volunteer will cut (not pull) a small locket of hair will cut (not pull) a small locket of hair from the back of the head. This can be from the back of the head. This can be accomplished in the student’s home accomplished in the student’s home during a regularly scheduled hair cut during a regularly scheduled hair cut without any disruption in the child’s without any disruption in the child’s environment or routine. environment or routine.

The locket of hair will be placed into a Ziplock bag. The outside of the bag will be labeled on tape with the gender, age, and a code known only to the parents of the student.

The hair samples will first be acid extracted and then analyzed by atomic absorption using the Perkin-Elmer FIMS Mercury analyzer located at Freeport High School.

In addition duplicate samples will be run by Environmental Testing Laboratories in Farmingdale.

Preliminary ResultsPreliminary ResultsMercury Levels (parts per million)Mercury Levels (parts per million)

Gender: MaleGender: Male

AgeAge CodeCode ppmppm NotesNotes

1414 D-FHSD-FHS 1.191.19 controlcontrol

1212 13921392 0.440.44 high functioninghigh functioningautisticautistic

1515 KFIKFI 0.0280.028 low functioninglow functioning

autisticautistic

KFIKFI 0.0370.037 mean = 0.033mean = 0.033

Gender: Female

Age Code ppm Notes

14 C-FHS 0.39 control

16 S-FHS 0.79 control

14 M-FHS 1.50 control

8 EC 0.64 high functioning autistic: chelation therapy

DiscussionDiscussion

The preliminary results show that the control The preliminary results show that the control participants were better able to release mercury through participants were better able to release mercury through the hair follicles. This supports the idea that people with the hair follicles. This supports the idea that people with ASD developed the disorder not because they were ASD developed the disorder not because they were exposed to mercury, but rather they were unable to release exposed to mercury, but rather they were unable to release the mercury.the mercury.

The results for the student who received chelation The results for the student who received chelation therapy are currently not understood. It is unclear whether therapy are currently not understood. It is unclear whether she is a high functioning autistic student because of the she is a high functioning autistic student because of the treatment, or, because she is capable of releasing a treatment, or, because she is capable of releasing a substantial amount of the element. substantial amount of the element.

Future WorkFuture Work

This study is on going. In the coming This study is on going. In the coming months, more samples will be collected and months, more samples will be collected and analyzed. Further more, additional aspects analyzed. Further more, additional aspects of the study will be exploredof the study will be explored

ReferencesReferences

Autism Society of AmericaAutism Society of America www.whale.towww.whale.to www.autismsociety.orgwww.autismsociety.org www.answers.comwww.answers.com www.reference.comwww.reference.com www.network54.comwww.network54.com www.healing-arts.orgwww.healing-arts.org www.tacanow.comwww.tacanow.com

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. Sat BhattacharyaDr. Sat Bhattacharya Harlem Children's SocietyHarlem Children's Society Kristin CookKristin Cook Ruth LawrenceRuth Lawrence Mr. Ed IrwinMr. Ed Irwin Patty ElsPatty Els