What exactly is Thimerosal? Some people say its the cause of autism, but why? And why is it used in vaccines? What's its purpose?
2007-09-06 06:33:47 · 3 answers · asked by kelsey h 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Thimerosal is a perservative for vaccines. It is an organic mercury compound. There is no concrete evidence linking mercury or thimerosal to autism.
They have removed thimerosal from most vaccines because of the perceptions. You can request and ensure that they are thimerosal free, but I wouldn't really worry about it.
2007-09-06 06:41:01 · answer #1 · answered by Rush is a band 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thiomersal (INN) (C9H9HgNaO2S), formerly and still commonly known in the United States as thimerosal, is an organomercury compound (approximately 49% mercury by weight) used as an antiseptic and antifungal agent.
It was developed and registered under the trade name Merthiolate in 1929 by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company, and has been used as a preservative in vaccines, immune globulin preparations, skin test antigens, antivenins, ophthalmic and nasal products, and tattoo inks.
The compound is being phased out from most childhood vaccinations. Packaging the vaccines in single-dose vials eliminates the need for bacteriostatics such as thiomersal.
Please see the web pages for more details on Thimerosal and Thiomersal controversy.
2007-09-06 06:46:24 · answer #2 · answered by gangadharan nair 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is preservative.
Autism stories are made up by greedy lawyers who sued the manufacturers, for money.
2007-09-06 14:56:59 · answer #3 · answered by kenneth h 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋