The structure of Thimerosal

Thimerosal (also spelled thiomersal) is a mercury-containing organic compound (organomercurial). structure of Thimerosal Created by Geni using ISIS/Draw File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Thimerosal was developed and registered under the trade name Merthiolate in 1929 by the Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, and marketed as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It has been used as an additive to prevent bacterial contamination in vaccines and other compounds such as immune globulin preparations, skin test antigens, anti-venins, ophthalmic and nasal products, and tattoo inks. One of the worlds largest corporations, Eli Lilly and Company NYSE: LLY is a global pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. A Fortune 500 corporation, Eli Lilly had revenues of $13. ... Kingdoms/Phyla/Divisions Actinobacteria Aquificae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are a major group of living organisms. ... A vaccine is an antigenic preparation used to produce active immunity to a disease, in order to prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by any natural or wild strain of the organism. ... An antigen is a molecule that stimulates the production of antibodies. ... An optical refractor in use. ... Human nose in profile The Nose is a story by Gogol and an opera by Dmitri Shostakovich. ... A tattoo is an indelible design or marking made by the insertion of a pigment into punctures or cuts in the skin. ...

The chemical formula for thimerosal is C₉H₉HgNaO₂S. In the body it is metabolized to ethylmercury (C₂H₅Hg⁺) and thiosalicylate. Thimerosal causes susceptible bacteria to autolyze (break down their own cells with self-produced enzymes) via an unknown mechanism. General Name, Symbol, Number carbon, C, 6 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14, 2, p Appearance black (graphite) colorless (diamond) Atomic mass 12. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number mercury, Hg, 80 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 6, d Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 200. ... General Name, Symbol, Number sodium, Na, 11 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 22. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless Atomic mass 15. ... General Name, Symbol, Number sulfur, S, 16 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 16, 3, p Appearance lemon yellow Atomic mass 32. ... Ethylmercury (sometimes ethyl mercury) is a cation that forms organomercury compounds such as ethylmercury chloride and ethylmercury urea. ... In chemistry, autolysis is the production of a substance which catalyses the reaction it was made in, or catalyzes its own transformation into another compound. ... Neuraminidase ribbon diagram An enzyme (in Greek en = in and zyme = blend) is a protein, or protein complex, that catalyzes a chemical reaction and also controls the 3D orientation of the catalyzed substrates. ...

Material Safety Data Sheet

See Full Material Safety Data Sheet

Synonyms: ethyl-2-mercaptobenzoato(2-)-O,S--mercurate sodium, mercury((o-carboxyphenyl)thio)ethyl sodium salt, mercurothiolate, merzonin sodium, SET, sodium ethylmercuric thiosalicylate, sodium merthiolate, thimerosalate, thiomersalate, merfamin, merthiolate, merthiolate sodium, merzonin, nosemack, merseptyl, 2-mercaptobenzoic acid mercury complex, elcide 75, thiomersal, ethylmercurithiosalicylic acid sodium salt, various other systematic and non-systematic names. In mathematics, a set can be thought of as any collection of distinct things considered as a whole. ... The structure of Thimerosal Thimerosal (sometimes spelled as thimerosol and thiomersal[1]) (trade name: Merthiolate) is an organometallic compound used commonly since the 1930s as a preservative in some vaccines. ... The structure of Thimerosal Thimerosal (sometimes spelled as thimerosol and thiomersal[1]) (trade name: Merthiolate) is an organometallic compound used commonly since the 1930s as a preservative in some vaccines. ...

Usage

Drug, anti-infective, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, preservative. A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. ... An antiseptic is a substance that kills or prevents the growth and reproduction of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses on the external surfaces of the body. ... An antifungal drug is medication used to treat fungal infections such as athletes foot, ringworm and candidiasis (thrush), as well as serious systemic infections like cryptococcal meningitis. ... A preservative is a natural or synthetic chemical that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, etc. ...

Physical data

Appearance: white or slightly yellow powder

• Molecular formula: C₉H₉HgNaO₂S
• Molar Mass: 404.81 g/mol
• CAS No: 54-64-8
• EC No: 200-210-4
• EC index number: 080-004-00-7
• HS Code: 2930 90 70
• Storage class (VCI): 6.1 B (Non-flammable toxic materials)
• Packing-category: G
• WGK: 3 (highly polluting substance)
• R Phrase: R 26/27/28-33-50/53
• S Phrase: S 13-28.1-36-45-60-61
• pH value: ∼6.7 (10 g/l, H₂O, 20 °C)
• Melting point: 232 - 233 °C (decomposition)
• Bulk density: 500 kg/m³
• Solubility in water: 1000 g/l (20 °C)

General Name, Symbol, Number carbon, C, 6 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14, 2, p Appearance black (graphite) colorless (diamond) Atomic mass 12. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number mercury, Hg, 80 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 6, d Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 200. ... General Name, Symbol, Number sodium, Na, 11 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 22. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless Atomic mass 15. ... General Name, Symbol, Number sulfur, S, 16 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 16, 3, p Appearance lemon yellow Atomic mass 32. ... The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... Bulk density a property of particulate materials. ...

Stability

Stable. May degrade in sunlight. Incompatible with strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, iodine, heavy metal salts. General Name, Symbol, Number iodine, I, 53 Chemical series halogens Group, Period, Block 17, 5, p Appearance violet-dark gray, lustrous Atomic mass 126. ... For other meanings, see heavy metal The term heavy metal may have various more general or more specific meanings. ...

Toxicology

Poison. Experimental neoplastigen and teratogen. Harmful by inhalation and ingestion. May cause reproductive damage. May be harmful through skin contact. Typical OEL 0.05 mg/m3. The skull and crossbones symbol traditionally used to label a poisonous substance. ... Teratogenesis is a medical term from the Greek, literally meaning monster making. ...

Chemical Hazard Symbol: T+ = Very toxic Criteria: Inhalation, swallowing, or absorption through the skin in very small amounts can cause considerable damage to health, and may sometimes be lethal. In the event of exposure serious evidence of severe, possibly irreversible damage to health by single, repeated, or prolonged absorption. MSDS Hazard Symbol T+ For a list of biologically injurious substances, including toxins and other materials, as well as their effects, see poison. ... Movie Poster for Irréversible Irréversible (2002, France) is a film written, directed, edited, and photographed by Gaspar Noé. ...

Chemical Hazard symbol: N = Dangerous for the environment Criteria: Liberation into aquatic and non-aquatic environments would present or may present immediate or delayed damage for one or more components of the environment. Precaution: Do not allow to enter sewerage systems, soil, or environment. Observe special disposal regulations. MSDS Hazard Symbol N

Toxicity data

• ORL-RAT LD50 75 mg kg-1
• SCU-RAT LD50 98 mg kg-1
• UNR-RAT LD50 40 mg kg-1
• IVN-MUS LD50 30 mg kg-1
• ORL-MUS LD50 91 mg kg-1
• IPR-MUS LD50 54 mg kg-1
• IAL-CHD LDLO 60 mg kg-1/4w-i

Personal protection

• Safety glasses, adequate ventilation.

• Risk Phrase: R 26/27/28-33-50/53

Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. Danger of cumulative effects. Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

• Safety Phrase: S 13-28.1-36-45-60-61

Keep away from food, drink and animal feeding stuffs. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water. Wear suitable protective clothing. In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible). This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/Safety data sheets. S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. ...

• WGK: (Water Hazard Class): 3 - highly polluting substance.

Thimerosal controversy

In recent years, it has been suggested that thimerosal in childhood vaccines could contribute to or cause neurodevelopmental disorders in children (most notably autism, but also other disorders on the PDD spectrum, such as ADHD). The basis for this claim is the introduction of an organic mercury compound -- ethylmercury -- straight into the tissue of young children. Some opponents of the use of thimerosal argue that this could have an effect on young children, who may have undeveloped immune and neurological systems that would be affected in some way. The study of neural development draws on both neuroscience and developmental biology to describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which complex nervous systems emerge during embryonic development and throughout life. ... Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. ... The diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. ... DISCLAIMER Please remember that Wikipedia is offered for informational use only. ... Biological tissue is a substance made up of cells that perform a similar function. ... The immune system is the system of specialised cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences. ... The nervous system of an animal coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and processes input from the senses, and initiates actions. ...

There is concern on both sides of the debate in regards to motivating factors. Those who denounce thimerosal suspect that government agencies and pharmaceutical companies are denying a connection for fear of financial liability and the creation of mistrust in vaccinations. [1][2][3] [4] Those who deny a connection between thimerosal and neurological disorders have charged thimerosal's critics as being medically and scientifically unqualified, [5] [6] emotionally distraught, or interested in pursuing litigation.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act of 1997 called for a review and risk assessment of all mercury-containing food and drugs. [7] Vaccine manufacturers responded to FDA requests for December 1998 and April 1999 to provide detailed information about the thimerosal content of their preparations. From the early 1970s until present day, the number of vaccines regularly received by children in the US before the age of four has risen from two or three to up to twenty-two. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Through its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), the FDA studied the results and found regularly vaccinated young children were injected with up to 187.5 μg of ethylmercury by the time they were six months old. When trying to assess whether this dosage was likely to cause damage, the CBER could not find guidelines for ethylmercury. The microgram (symbol µg, sometimes mcg) is an SI unit of mass. ...

The FDA recognized that some children who receive thimerosal-containing vaccines may have, over time, exceeded federal guidelines for bolus (single-dose) mercury exposure, based on methylmercury (but not ethylmercury) studies. The United States Public Health Service (PHS), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal-containing vaccines should be removed as soon as possible because of the potential risk of adverse effects from mercury exposure.[8] Similar conclusions were reached by the European Medicines Agency. [9] The United States Public Health Service was founded first by President John Adams as a loose network of hospitals to support the health of American seamen. ... The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of pediatricians. ... The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is a European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products. ...

In June of 1999, Dr. Neal A. Halsey, director of the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Vaccine Safety, Former Chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a vocal supporter of the vaccination policy, was apprised of the results of the CBER study. [10] Dr. Halsey enlisted Dr. Walter Orenstein, the director of the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Immunization Program for advice. Along with leaders of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the group advised a cautious stance by informing physicians about the findings [11]. Negotiations within the AAP resulted in a press release calling for a delay of Hepatitis B vaccines under certain circumstances.[12] Johns Hopkins Johns Hopkins (May 19, 1795 – December 24, 1873) was a Baltimore businessman, a Quaker, an abolitionist, and a philanthropist. ... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta is recognized as the lead United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people by providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships with state health departments and other organizations. ...

Due to the concerns that were raised, the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) asked the National Academy of Science's (NAS) Institute of Medicine (IOM) to establish an independent expert committee to review hypotheses about existing and emerging immunization safety concerns. In 2001 the IOM committee concluded that the hypothesis was biologically plausible; however, the evidence was inadequate to accept or reject a causal relationship between thimerosal exposures from childhood vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders. [13] [14] [15] [16] The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for medical research. ... President Harding and the National Academy of Sciences at the White House, Washington, DC, April 1921 The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine. ... The Institute of Medicine, a part of the National Academy of Sciences, is an American organization whose purpose is to provide national advice on issues relating to biomedical science, medicine, and health (National Academy of Sciences, n. ... A committee is a (relatively) small group that can serve one of several functions: Governance: in organizations too large for all the members to participate in decisions affecting the organization as a whole, a committee (such as a Board of Directors) is given the power to make decisions. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

The IOM panel reconvened in 2004 and concluded the evidence that was presented favored a rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism; and that hypotheses generated to date concerning a biological mechanism for such causality are theoretical only. The IOM went on to recommend the termination of additional research into the subject, stating clearly that, "Further research to find the cause of autism should be directed toward other lines of inquiry". The IOM committee chair stated, "Available funding for autism research should be channeled to the most promising areas, of which the link with vaccines does not appear to be one." [17] [18] 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Termination as a technical term has different meanings. ...

Some advocacy groups felt the IOM's 2004 decision was premature. [19] [20]

State of the controversy

Below are some of the issues that have been raised by critics of thimerosal containing vaccines:

• Appeal for caution: injecting an organic mercury compound into the tissues and bloodstreams of small children has the potential to cause harm. [21] [22].
• In vitro tests to examine the effects of ethylmercury on living cells [23], [24], [25], [26], [27].
• In vivo test on lab animals to test for reactions [28], [29].
• Mass data analysis of actual populations to discern patterns, ideally with a control group. This includes study of the incidence of autism in populations with varying use of thimerosal [30], [31], [32], [33], [34].
• Clinical studies comparing autistic and neurotypical children's reactions to mercury excretion [35], [36], [37],
• Trend analysis following introduction of more vaccines with thimerosal and the gradual abolishment of thimerosal in vaccines, starting a few years ago. [38], [39], [40]
• Cures. Parents and doctors claim that autistic children who are treated for mercury poisoning recover.

Critics point out that thimerosal is unnecessary for the immunological purpose of vaccination. Thimerosal is used in multi-dose vaccine vials in effort to reduce the likelihood of microbial contamination. The need for bacteriostatic agents like thimerosal can be avoided by using a single dose vial. Single-dose vials increases the cost of manufacturing, shipping, storing, and delivering vaccines and is blamed, at least in part, for intermittent shortages of vaccines in recent years. [41] Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. ... A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye). ... Bacteriostatic antibiotics hamper the growth of bacteria by interfering with bacteria protein production, interfering with bacteria DNA production interfering with bacteria cellular metabolism Bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit growth and repoduction of the bacteria, though do not kill it, while bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria. ...

It has been assumed thimerosal has been removed from vaccines since 1999. However, some pharmaceutical companies did not receive regulatory approval for their thimerosal-free infant vaccines until 2003. Infant vaccines produced before 2003 may contain up to 25μg of thimerosal. These vaccines have not been recalled and it is possible they are still in use. They will not expire until 2006 at the earliest, 2008 at the latest. [42] [43] Currently the adolescent and adult tetanus vaccine and certain influenza vaccines still contain thimerosal. In the context of government and public services regulation (as a process) is the control of something by rules, as opposed to its prohibition. ...

For more information about the thimerosal controversy see links section below.

See also

• Autism
• Autism epidemic
• Bernard Rimland
• Controversies in autism
• David Kirby
• Generation Rescue
• Metallothionein

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. ... The advent of a possible autism epidemic was first suggested in the mid-1990s by a handful of healthcare professionals who noticed sharp increases in the numbers being diagnosed and reported to public health agencies. ... Bernard Rimland, Ph. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... David Kirby is an investigative journalist based in Brooklyn, New York, a regular contributor to the New York Times since 1998, and author of the 2005 book Evidence of Harm - Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy. ... Generation Rescue is a non-profit organization which was founded by parents who are united in the belief that childhood neurological disorders; such as autism, Aspergers syndrome, ADHD, speech delay, sensory integration disorder and other developmental delays are mis-diagnoses for mercury poisoning. ... Metallothioneins are proteins whose purpose is to metabolise and regulate metals. ...

External links

Thimerosal related news and opinions

Links to news sites or weblogs that have an interest in the thimerosal controversy. The list is broken into two groups, those that accept the theory that thimerosal causes neurological disorders and those that reject the theory as unlikely.

Reject theory

• Autism-Watch.org - 'Through the Looking Glass: My Involvement with Autism Quackery', James R. Laidler, MD, QuackWatch
• Fumento.com - 'Immune to Reason', Michael Fumento (attorney), Wall Street Journal (June 24, 2005)
• Salon.com - 'The Institute of Medicine's president criticizes "Deadly Immunity," and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responds', Harvey V. Fineberg, MD, PhD (IOM president)
• Slate.msn.com - 'Sticking Up for Thimerosal: Read the studies—it's safe', Arthur Allen, Slate (August 2, 2005)
• [44] - 'Autism and vaccines: Activists wage a nasty campaign to silence scientists' (unsigned editorial opinion), Wall Street Journal (Feb 16, 2004)
• ScienceDaily.com - 'Vaccines Are Not Associated With Autism, Report Says', Science Daily (May 19, 2004)

Look up Quackery in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Quackery is the practice of promoting medicine which lacks any evidence of effectiveness. ... Quackwatch is an Internet guide to quackery and health frauds operated by Stephen Barrett, M.D., a retired psychiatrist, with input from his board of advisors (linked to on his site below). ... The Wall Street Journal is an influential international daily newspaper published in New York City, New York with an average daily circulation of 1,800,607 (2002). ...

Accept theory

• ByronChild.com - 'A Dragon by the Tail', Lisa Reagan, Byron Child (January 24, 2005)
• HuffingtonPost.com - 'Autism, Mercury and the California Numbers', David Kirby, Huffington Post (July, 2005)
• SafeMinds.org (pdf) - 'New Study Shows Vaccine Mercury Results in More Than Twice as Much Mercury Being Trapped in the Brain' (press release regarding NIH study), Safe Minds (April 21, 2005)
• Salon.com - Deadly Immunity: When a study revealed that mercury in childhood vaccines may have caused autism in thousands of kids, the government rushed to conceal the data -- and to prevent parents from suing drug companies for their role in the epidemic, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Salon.com, (June 16, 2005)
• Weldon.house.gov - 'Weldon's Letter to Secretary Michael Leavitt Regarding Burbacher and Clarkson Study', US Congressman Dave Weldon, (April 19, 2005)

David Kirby is an investigative journalist based in Brooklyn, New York, a regular contributor to the New York Times since 1998, and author of the 2005 book Evidence of Harm - Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy. ... The Huffington Post is a group weblog and news site started by Arianna Huffington on May 9, 2005. ... The Coalition for Safe Minds (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to investigating the risks of exposure to mercury from medical products. ... Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. ... Screenshot of Salon. ... David Joseph Weldon, M.D., (born August 31, 1953), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1995, representing the 15th District of Florida. ...

Further Reading

• 2004 IOM report the US National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine
• Speech to Congress by Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D., claiming 2004 IOM report flawed (June 2004)
• NIH funded study by Dr.Thomas Burbacher on the differing effects of methyl mercury vs thimerosal using infant primates
  • NIH Press Release Thimerosal, Methylmercury React Differently in the Brains of Infants
• Safety of Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines Thomas Verstraeten, MD, et al; Pediatics, November, 2003
  • Follow up letter from Dr Verstaeten.
  • Post-publication Peer Reviews.
• Do Vaccines Contain Harmful Preservatives, Adjuvants, Additives, or Residuals? Paul A. Offit, MD, et al; Pediatrics, December, 2003
• An Assessment of Thimerosal Use in Childhood Vaccines Leslie K. Ball, MD, et al; Pediatrics, May, 2001
• Negative Ecological Evidence From Danish Population-Based Data Kreesten M. Madsen, MD, et al; Pediatrics, September, 2003
• Thimerosal in Childhood Vaccines, Neurodevelopment Disorders Mark and David Geier; Journ. American Phys. Surgeons, Spring, 2003
• Iatrogenic exposure to mercury after hepatitis B vaccination in preterm infants Stajich, et al; Journal of Pediatrics, May, 2000
• Immunological Disorders Induced by Heavy Metals Fournie´ et al; Journal of Autoimmunity, 2001
• Research on Thimerosal National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Thimerosal in Vaccines US Food and Drug Administration
• Mercury in Plasma-Derived Products US Food and Drug Administration
• Mercury and Vaccines Centers for Disease Control
• Merck internal memo regarding thimerosal's use in vaccines
• Misconceptions about Immunization Quackwatch.org
• Boyd E. Haley's testimony before the House Committee on Government Reform (April 9, 2001)
• Rep. Dave Weldon M.D., to the IOM strongly suggesting a link between thimerosal and autism (February 9, 2004)
• Helping to make our Nation mercury-free...state by state NoMercury.org