Did you know that the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) is negotiating a “legally binding instrument to reduce mercury exposure” worldwide? The third meeting for the Global Mercury Partnership is scheduled next month in Nairobi. Historically speaking, this is monumental. This group containing government, non-government, public and private entities from 140 countries has chosen to come together to address mercury – one of the most dangerous toxins on earth.

Since Ethan was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and I started to question anything in his environment that could impact his health and wellbeing, I’ve found myself very interested in learning more about mercury and mercury exposure. Many people suffer from the ill effects of mercury exposure, which is (in my opinion) all-too-common these days. People like Ethan may have compounded ill-effects due to impaired detoxification systems. For Ethan’s benefit I try to follow the most recent science and news regarding mercury and I feel compelled to share this news with our AutismSpot readers!

According to the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership website, the overall goal of the initiative is:
“…to protect human health and the global environment from the release of mercury and its compounds by minimizing and, where feasible, ultimately eliminating global, anthropogenic mercury releases to air, water and land.”
In this way, mercury released into the environment via coal combustion, gold mining and other industrial means will be addressed. The good news is that mercury-containing products and the disposal of such products (think: light bulbs, batteries and thermometers) will also be addressed.

While the Global Mercury Partnership’s task to finalize the details of this initiative are still underway, in a press release today the SafeMinds Coalition applauds UNEP for using language which will not exempt the pharmaceutical industry from using mercury in vaccines and other personal care products.

Some argue that the trace amounts of mercury used in vaccines is insignificant, but a growing number of experts disagree.

Considering that mercury is a neurotoxin, I don’t believe mercury should be used in any health care or personal care items, but especially in those made for infants, young children, pregnant women or women of child-bearing age. Further, I have great concern over disposal of unused mercury-containing vaccines (like the flu shot). Such vaccines are considered hazardous waste for a reason! Whether injected directly into our bodies or disposed of into our environment, these vaccines threaten human health and wellbeing and need to be addressed. So in that sense, I, too, applaud UNEP’s drafted language regarding pharmaceutical and personal care products.

I feel cautiously optimistic as the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership embarks on future meetings regarding reduction of mercury exposure worldwide. How do you feel about this topic?

*

Leigh Attaway Wilcox is Editor in Charge of the internationally acclaimed AutismSpot.com and her work can be found on many of the pLDNetworks sites. Leigh is the author of ALL BETTER: A Touch-and-Heal Book published by Piggy Toes Press in 2007 (now available for digital download via Moving Picture Books). Leigh lives in North Texas with her husband and young son who loves reading, LEGOs, Mario Bros. and also happens to live with Asperger's Syndrome, an Autism Spectrum Disorder.