The Mercury Monster

Study offers new insight into what happens to mercury deposited onto Arctic snow from the atmosphere

2010-02-13T23:26:00.001-08:00

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—A study by University of Michigan researchers offers new insight into what happens to mercury deposited onto Arctic snow from the atmosphere.

The work also provides a new approach to tracking mercury's movement through Arctic ecosystems.

Read more of this article at:

http://7thspace.com/headlines/335101/study_offers_new_insight_into_what_happens_to_mercury_deposited_onto_arctic_snow_from_the_atmosphere.html

The mercury is rising on compact fluorescent light bulbs

2009-09-13T06:13:00.001-07:00

They're pushed on the public like drugs by a drug dealer, to brighten your world, to save energy, and to support a growing environmental products industry. But just how effective, efficient, and safe are these little curly-Q light bulbs with which we are so quick to replace our steadfast incandescent light bulbs?

Read more of this article at:

http://www.examiner.com/x-23472-Orange-County-Environmental-News-Examiner~y2009m9d11-The-mercury-is-rising-on-compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs

Thimerosal, organic mercury, swine flu and you.

2009-08-28T00:19:00.001-07:00

“I read last week how the U.S. Geological Survey did a study that found mercury in fish from every one of 291 streams they tested across the United States. You don’t need me to tell you that mercury is dangerous, but I started researching mercury to find out how dangerous.

However, digging for facts about mercury took me in a completely different direction... back to the swine flu.”

Read more of this article at:

http://www.examiner.com/x-17373-Phoenix-Signs-of-the-Times-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Thimerosal-organic-mercury-swine-flu-and-you

MERCURY'S INFLUENCE

2009-08-17T14:13:00.001-07:00

MERCURY: Influences on Body Chemistry

(Paraphrased from the book "Surviving the Toxic Crisis" by William R. Kellas)

H1N1 Flu Vaccine Will Contain Mercury

2009-08-01T23:34:00.001-07:00

Mercury is Linked to Autism and Multiple Neurological Complications

As it has been abundantly proven, mercury and its derivatives are responsible for autism in children and many other neurological diseases, such as the Gulf War Syndrome. Mercury in its most common form - thimerosal- is put in almost all vaccines made available to the public, usually as a preservative. As it was recently unveiled by the Washington Post, many doses of the new H1N1 vaccine will be stored in multi dose vials which will contain thimerosal.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2008884/h1n1_flu_vaccine_will_contain_mercury.html?cat=5

IMPORTANT POST: New Blog Site!

2009-07-31T23:40:00.001-07:00

http://themercurymonster.wordpress.com/

Frustrated in recent weeks by various annoying errors on Blogger I have decided to trial a transfer to Wordpress.com

If the trial is successful I will transfer permanently. It is still a ‘work in progress’ but the new website address is shown above. I’d love to hear what you think!

Swine Flu Vaccine Will Contain Mercury

2009-07-31T23:35:00.001-07:00

The Washington Post confirms that most of the swine flu vaccines that will be available in the fall, probably in October, will contain thimerosal.

Thimerosal is about half mercury.

Read more of this article at:

http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/wapo-swine-flu-vaccine-will-contain-mercury/

Selenium Helps Remove Mercury from the Body

2009-07-30T09:48:00.001-07:00

While high levels of Mercury are often found in large species of fish, a more important factor to consider is the relative amount of Selenium the fish contains. Selenium, also abundant in seafood, actually helps remove Mercury from the body. Thus, consuming certain types of seafood (and other foods) that have a high Selenium to Mercury ratio can purify the body of heavy metals even when the fish contains those same elements.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.naturalnews.com/026729_selenium_mercury_tuna.html

Mercury Contamination Found in High Fructose Corn Syrup

2009-07-17T23:33:00.001-07:00

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) accounts for the largest amount of calories in the average American diet. It can be found in processed foods of almost every kind - soda, bread, breakfast bars, processed dairy, crackers, soup, condiments, and others. The U.S. first began using HFCS heavily in the 1970's as an inexpensive alternative to sugar when sugar prices skyrocketed. It quickly became the most commonly used sweetener and today is found in almost all processed foods. Americans consume about twelve teaspoons of HFCS on average per day.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.naturalnews.com/026638_mercury_HFCS_corn.html

Sony Develops Mercury-free Alkaline Button Cell

2009-06-10T22:43:00.001-07:00

Sony has developed a new type of alkaline manganese button-cell that contains no mercury and will put it on sale later this year, it said Wednesday.

Alkaline manganese cells are commonly used in cameras, remote controls and calculators and are one of several types of button-cell batteries, so-called because the small, round, metal-cased batteries look similar to buttons.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/166404/sony_develops_mercuryfree_alkaline_button_cell.html

US inches towards mercury regulation

2009-06-09T03:07:00.001-07:00

Moves to eradicate pollution by chlorine-producing plants.

The US is moving towards stamping out mercury pollution, thanks to the passage of a new piece of legislation.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2243681/inches-towards-mercury

Your Tuna Is Getting More Toxic

2009-05-22T07:12:00.001-07:00

If you eat tuna, read this.

The rate of mercury contamination in tuna and other Pacific fish has increased 30% since about 1990, and is expected to increase another 50% if China continues to build more coal-fired power plants to fuel its industrial revolution.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/tuna-mercury-47050102

Amalgam Maker Urged to Phase Out Mercury Tooth Fillings

2009-05-19T11:06:00.001-07:00

The Dominican Sisters of Hope, supported by Consumers for Dental Choice and the Mercury Policy Project, presented a resolution calling on the Danaher (DHR: NYSE) corporation to transition out of manufacturing mercury fillings at the company’s annual shareholder meeting at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, May 5.

Read more of this article at:

http://mercurypolicy.org/?p=564

Removing Toxic Mercury From Fish Oil While Retaining Beneficial Omega-3 Fatty Acids

2009-04-15T01:25:00.001-07:00

ScienceDaily (Apr. 14, 2009) — Faced with the global demand for fish oils and tighter restrictions in the EU on toxins in the oils, a cluster of Norwegian and French companies and researchers saw a niche in the market for a cost-effective method to remove harmful components.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407105554.htm

EPA: Which household items contain mercury?

2009-04-10T00:32:00.001-07:00

Despite being phased out of many products, mercury still lurks in our homes.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/epa-which-household-items-contain-mercury

Mercury, The FDA & The Truth, Wake Up America

2009-04-02T13:23:00.001-07:00

Many Indian Herbal Medicines Found to Contain Lead, Mercury or Arsenic

2009-03-22T01:50:00.000-07:00

(NaturalNews) Approximately one in five Indian herbal medicines sold over the Internet contains dangerously high levels of arsenic, lead or mercury, according to a study conducted by researchers from Boston University and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.naturalnews.com/025896.html

Study outlines mercury dangers to children

2009-03-10T03:23:00.001-07:00

The now-shuttered Kiddie Kollege Day Care in Gloucester County is not the only place where children have inhaled poisonous mercury vapors, according to a national study.

Children were exposed to the vapors in hundreds of cases over a six-year period ended in 2007. Fourteen incidents detailed in the study were classified as public-health hazards, including the Franklinville day care.

Study outlines mercury dangers to children

2009-03-10T03:23:00.000-07:00

The now-shuttered Kiddie Kollege Day Care in Gloucester County is not the only place where children have inhaled poisonous mercury vapors, according to a national study.

Dentist urges ban on mercury fillings

2009-03-02T22:27:00.000-08:00

A SALE dentist is urging the Government to ban mercury fillings.

Anjali Shahi, of Manor Dental Practice, stopped using mercury on all her patients in 2005.

Her Washway Road practice hasn't used amalgam fillings - which contain 50 per cent mercury - on children and pregnant women since 1995.

Anjali said: “The UK needs to follow other European nations and ban mercury filings. I have lots of patients who come to see me because having their mercury fillings removed might help with other medical complaints they have.

Read more of this article at:
http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/4165688.Dentist_urges_ban_on_mercury_fillings/

Mercury pollution treaty proposed

2009-02-20T15:20:00.000-08:00

World governments have agreed to crack down on mercury pollution.

Environment ministers meeting in Nairobi have initiated a process that should end in a legally binding, international treaty.

Read more of this article at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7902092.stm

Hits Soar to 400 Following ITV's Tonight TV Programme!

2009-02-19T05:04:00.000-08:00

Following the broadcast of ITV's Tonight television programme, "What's in Your Mouth?" our blog hits have soared to 400 and I want to do the happy dance! Anything that raises the profile of the dangers of mercury has to be a good thing and I'm delighted that ITV have chosen to do this.

If you missed the programme you can still see it online on ITV player at:

http://www.itv.com/News/tonight/default.html

Please watch it and then spread the word.......... MERCURY IS A MONSTER!

US calls for treaty on mercury reduction

2009-02-18T01:56:00.000-08:00

The Obama administration reversed years of U.S. policy Monday by calling for a treaty to cut mercury pollution, which it described as the world's gravest chemical problem.

What's in your mouth? TONIGHT ITV 8PM

2009-02-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

What's in your mouth? TONIGHT ITV 8PM

http://www.itv.com/PressCentre/Tonight/Ep12WhatsInYourMouthWk08/default.html

Author Pratchett blames his Alzheimer's on mercury fillings

2009-02-15T01:40:00.000-08:00

Terry Pratchett has reopened the controversy about the safety of mercury-based tooth fillings by blaming them for his Alzheimer's disease.

The author of the Discworld series describes the fillings - which millions of Britons have - as "toxic waste".

"Having something like mercury in your mouth seemed to me to be a really bad idea and I got rid of the stuff," said Pratchett

Climate protection and use of mercury at the heart of the UNEP summit

2009-02-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

Among the subjects that will be addressed, we can quote the economic crisis and the protection of the environment and the rules for the use of mercury in ...

Read more of this article at:

http://www.welcomeurope.com/default.asp?id=1300&idnews=5216

Obama team revisits Bush-era decisions on car exhaust and mercury emissions

2009-02-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama put the teeth back in America's environmental protection regime today, revisiting two widely criticised decisions from the George Bush era on car exhaust and mercury emissions.

Lisa Jackson, the head of the environmental protection agency, told a conference that the Obama administration now would not stand in the way of a decision from a New Jersey court requiring coal and oil-fired power plants to install more stringent mercury controls.

Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury

2009-01-27T00:45:00.000-08:00

MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

Read more of this article at:

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/01/26/study-finds-high-fructose-corn-syrup-contains.html

Sweden institutes near-total mercury ban

2009-01-14T23:49:00.000-08:00

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Mercury will be banned in Sweden starting June 1, government officials announced Wednesday.

Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren said the ban prohibits products containing the heavy metal from being brought to market in Sweden and will become official when the government meets Thursday, the Swedish news agency TT reported.

Read more of this article at:

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/01/14/Sweden_institutes_near-total_mercury_ban/UPI-75861231945871/

Mercury threat tied to greenhouse gases

2009-01-09T01:19:00.000-08:00

Mercury levels in soil increase as carbon dioxide levels rise, suggesting such pollution will increase with global warming, a U.S. university researcher said.

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 8 (UPI) Read more of this article at:

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/01/08/Mercury_threat_tied_to_greenhouse_gases/UPI-10511231448716/

Eating lots of seafood? See this Great Mercury Calculator

2009-01-03T05:34:00.000-08:00

It is well established that eating seafood that contains mercury is hazardous to our health, especially for pregnant women and children. But with a lack of health advisories nationwide, how are we supposed to make smart choices for our family? The Got Mercury? advanced calculator found at the link below helps you make such choices by giving you the option of including several species of fish; just enter your weight, the seafood type(s), the quantity of seafood you will eat during a week and hit the calculator button.

http://gotmercury.org/article.php?id=1034

FDA Tells Pregnant Women it's OK to Consume Mercury!

2009-01-03T03:46:00.000-08:00

The U.S. FDA is urging the government to amend its advisory that women and children should limit how much fish they eat. They argue that the benefits of seafood outweigh the health risks and that most people should eat more fish, even if it contains mercury.

However, the FDA's recommendations have alarmed scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency, who in internal memos criticized them as "scientifically flawed and inadequate" and said they fell short of the "scientific rigor routinely demonstrated by the EPA."

Read more of this article at:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/01/03/fda-tells-pregnant-women-it-s-ok-to-consume-mercury.aspx

FDA Stuns Scientists, Declares Mercury in Fish to be Safe for Infants, Children, Expectant Mothers!

2008-12-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

In a truly astonishing betrayal of public safety (even for the FDA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today revoked its warning about mercury in fish, saying that eating mercury-contaminated fish no longer poses any health threat to children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and infants.

Read more of this article at:
http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000622_mercury_FDA_fish.html

Low-Dose Mercury Exposure From Fillings, Vaccines and Fish Linked to Heart Disease

2008-12-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

(NaturalNews) In spite of the fact that mercury is routinely used in dental restorations and thimerosal, a preservative containing mercury commonly used in vaccines, an international team of researchers has warned in a press release that low-dose mercury exposure can damage the arteries, having a harmful effect on vascular function.

Read more at:

http://www.naturalnews.com/025039.html

How Sunshine and Vitamin D Can Help You Eliminate Mercury

2008-12-05T06:09:00.000-08:00

The study shows that vitamin D helps remove mercury from your body safely by radically increasing the amount of intracellular glutathione.

FDA Reluctantly Admits Mercury Fillings Have Neurotoxic Effects on Children

2008-12-04T02:37:00.000-08:00

(NaturalNews) For the first time, the FDA has issued a warning that the mercury contained in silver dental fillings may pose neurological risks to children and pregnant women.

"Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses," reads a statement that has been added to the agency's Web site. "Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner."

Read more of this article at:
http://www.naturalnews.com/024993.html

Do you eat tuna?

2008-11-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

From The Times
November 14, 2008
Diagnosis Mercury: Money, Politics and Poison by Jane M. Hightower
The Times review by Richard Ellis

IN MY BOOK Tuna: A Love Story, I discussed at some length the dangers of mercury in fish, especially tuna. I cited various studies and (wrongly) concluded that while mercury is poisonous to humans, the small amounts in bluefin tuna (the nominal subject of my love affair) probably wouldn't harm anybody very much.

The US Food and Drug Administration cautions pregnant women and nursing mothers against eating tuna, but everyone else, says the FDA, can go right ahead and eat it. In fact, their advice is that you probably should go right ahead and eat it, because fish is so good for you.

But, as Jane Hightower says in the very title of her book, mercury is poison.

"No time to dim efficiency ambitions"

2008-11-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

"My preferred solution would be for the mercury content of CFLs to be reduced to 1-2mg and for every EU nation to introduce robust methods for recycling all of the hazardous substances found in homes."

Many Household Products No Longer Need Mercury

2008-11-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

"The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that viable alternatives exist for many products that now use mercury. Switches, relays, button cell batteries, non-fever thermometers, and measuring devices, such as thermostats -- none of them need mercury."

Read more at:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/mercury-47110702

New Assessment Highlights Effective Mercury-Free Alternatives

2008-11-07T02:07:00.000-08:00

"There are alternatives to mercury, according to a just-released preliminary assessment of the uses of elemental mercury in a number of products. The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that switches, relays, button cell batteries, non-fever thermometers, and measuring devices, such as thermostats, don’t have to contain mercury."

Anorexia Nervosa and Mercury Toxicity

2008-11-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

"Neuropsychiatric symptoms as a result of mercury poisoning following the excessive consumption of large predatory fish (methyl mercury levels >1 ppm) are well documented but often misdiagnosed."

Positive Progress Report

2008-10-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

Well I've been amalgam free for 62 days and I haven't posted on progress since September 22nd, so I think this is well overdue! And the news is ......................... cautiously good :)

My headaches were the biggest issue a month ago and I'm still getting them but much less frequently now - maybe once a week but when I do get them they are still bad enough to bring on the feelings of nausea. I've not had so much of the intense tiredness either, I've felt tired but generally it's been normal tiredness and not the type that insists you sleep this second wherever and whatever you are doing!

I've become a little complacent with the detox routine and I need to sharpen up on it again as I know this should be ongoing for a good while yet.

We're still taking vitamin C but I've changed brand and reduced the dose (I'll post separately to explain my reasoning). We're also still eating 2 Brazil nuts everyday and drinking plenty of kombucha. We also have water kefir and milk kefir pretty frequently. We're struggling a little with the beet kvass as the taste isn't very appealing but we are still having it, if only once or twice a week. I haven't reintroduced the chlorella and we've not had a lot of coriander recently either. We still take a kelp tablet everyday.

I've got a little lax with my water intake again .... so hard to focus on it along with everything else but I must try harder. The same goes for saunas and Epsom salt baths which we struggle to find time for but so feel the difference when we do! I've bought some miso but not got around to cooking anything with it yet - another thing on the to-do list.

I'm currently looking into introducing the Gut and Psychology (GAPS) Diet as a means to healing the gut long term, which should make recovery quicker and easier, but it isn't simple and will take lots of forethought and planning - I'm working on it!

The important message is that I am beginning to feel better and my hopes are high for the future.

Man dies after mercury spill, EPA investigates possible connection

2008-10-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

"Health officials are trying to determine if the death of a 62-year-old Cleveland man Tuesday is linked to mercury found spilled at his home."

Read more at:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/10/us_epa_investigates_mercury_sp.html

Study highlights impact of mercury on seal immune system

2008-10-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

"Mercury pollution in our seas could be more damaging to seals than was once thought, according to new research which highlights the effects of mercury on the animals' immune systems."

Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Bulbs More Hazardous than Previously Thought

2008-10-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

"Environmental scientists and waste industry officials are warning that a massive shift to compact fluorescent light bulbs will lead to far more mercury contamination than has been widely supposed." read more at http://www.NaturalNews.com/024553.html

Seafood Mercury Warning

2008-10-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Cartoon creator Mike Adams

www.naturalnews.com

100 hits reached today!

2008-10-15T05:28:00.000-07:00

This blog reached 100 hits today :)

Are 'Detoxifying' Foot Pads a Scam?

2008-10-15T01:11:00.000-07:00

The latest evidence seems to suggest they are. :(

"The likelihood that detoxifying foot pads work is slim to none.

However, certain foot pads may still offer some value – just not necessarily what they’re advertising. And, you’re not likely to get it from most brands." Read more at ...... Joseph Mercola's website

Mercury may have poisoned lawyer

2008-10-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/ reported today that

"A LEADING Russian human rights lawyer is in a French hospital suffering from suspected mercury poisoning, the lawyer and one of her colleagues said today. Karinna Moskalenko said that she and members of her family were taken ill in France and that a large quantity of "a substance similar to mercury" was found in her car by police."

Elements for a UN Global Framework on Mercury Agreed to

2008-10-11T03:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday PR Newswire reported that the elements for a UN Global Framework on Mercury have been agreed to.

The article states:

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public interest advocates(1) welcomed the results of a global meeting convened to make decisions on the threats posed by mercury to human health and environment. On 6-10 October 2008, the 2nd UNEP(2) Open Ended Working Group (OEWG2) on Mercury agreed on the elements that would form part of a global framework on mercury, in preparation for the UNEP Governing Council (GC) in February 2009, where it will be decided whether a global legally-binding instrument on mercury will be developed.

"World countries' representatives made important progress; the framework agreed to is comprehensive, covering all significant aspects of the global mercury pollution problem," said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, from the Zero Mercury Working Group.

"We now call upon the GC to finish the work that it started and establish a negotiating committee to develop a global treaty on mercury," said Michael Bender of the Zero Mercury Working Group and director of the Mercury Policy Project, a US NGO. "Only through a treaty will we see sufficient reductions in global mercury emissions, supply and demand."

The UNEP GC had given the mandate to the OEWG to review and assess options for enhanced voluntary measures and new or existing international legal instruments. The OEWG2 completed its work, and will send a report to the GC including:

-- A comprehensive set of elements to be part of a global framework.

-- Two options for global frameworks on mercury

-- a legal and a voluntary one.

-- If a legal framework is agreed, it will be a free-standing instrument rather than being part of an existing framework.

The large majority of the 90 governments attending the meeting supported a legally binding instrument

-- India, China and the USA along with a few other countries expressed preference for a voluntary framework.

"The outcome of the OEWG has helped shape future global action," said Richard Gutierrez, of the Philippine NGO, Ban Toxics. "We are optimistic that the global community is well on its way towards establishing a treaty to control mercury pollution and effectively safeguard global fish stocks from this lethal poison."

(1)Environmental NGOS include: The European Environmental Bureau, (EEB), http://www.eeb.org/ is a federation of over 140 environmental citizens' organisations based in all EU Member States as well as in neighbouring countries. These organisations range from local and national, to European and international. The aim of the EEB is to protect and improve the environment of Europe and to enable the citizens of Europe to play their part in achieving that goal. The Zero Mercury Working Group, http://www.zeromercury.org/ is an international coalition of over 60 public-interest non-governmental organisations worldwide formed in 2005 by the European Environmental Bureau and the Mercury Policy Project/Ban Mercury Working Group. The group's aim is to reach "Zero emissions, demand and supply of mercury, from all sources we can control, towards eliminating mercury in the environment at EU level and globally." International POPs Eliminations Network (IPEN), http://www.ipen.org/ is a global network of health and environmental organizations in more than 80countries working together for a Toxics-Free Future.

(2)United Nations Environment Programme

'Fingerprinting' Method Tracks Mercury Emissions From Coal

2008-10-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

ScienceDaily (Oct. 9, 2008) reported yesterday that University of Michigan researchers have developed a new tool that uses natural "fingerprints" in coal to track down sources of mercury polluting the environment.

The article states:

Mercury is a naturally occurring element, but some 2000 tons of it enter the environment each year from human-generated sources such as incinerators, chlorine-producing plants and coal-burning power plants. Mercury is deposited onto land or into water, where microorganisms convert some of it to methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish and the animals that eat them. In wildlife, exposure to methylmercury can interfere with reproduction, growth, development and behavior and may even cause death.

Effects on humans include damage to the central nervous system, heart and immune system. The developing brains of young and unborn children are especially vulnerable.

"There has been a lot of controversy about how much mercury is coming from different types of industrial activities, compared to natural sources, but it has been difficult to figure out the relative contributions," said co-author Joel Blum, the John D. MacArthur Professor of Geological Sciences and a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "And even if you can determine how much of it is coming from natural versus human sources, there's still the question of how much is from global sources, such as coal-fired power plants overseas, and how much is being produced and deposited locally."

For the past eight years, Blum and co-workers have been trying to develop a way of reading mercury fingerprints in coal and other sources of mercury. The hope was that they could then find those same fingerprints in soil and water bodies, much as a detective matches a suspect's fingerprints to those found at a crime scene, and use them to figure out exactly what the sources of mercury pollution are in certain areas.

"For some time, we weren't sure that it was going to be technically possible, but now we've cracked that nut and have shown significant differences not only between mercury from coal and, say, metallic forms of mercury that are used in industry, but also between different coal deposits," Blum said.

The fingerprinting technique relies on a natural phenomenon called isotopic fractionation, in which different isotopes (atoms with different numbers of neutrons) of mercury react to form new compounds at slightly different rates. In one type of isotopic fractionation, mass-dependent fractionation (MDF), the differing rates depend on the masses of the isotopes. In mass-independent fractionation (MIF), the behavior of the isotopes depends not on their absolute masses but on whether their masses are odd or even. Combining mass-dependent and mass-independent isotope signals, the researchers created a powerful fingerprinting tool.

Previously, Blum and coworkers investigated the possibility of using the method to identify sources of mercury contamination in fish. The coal project was more challenging because of the difficulty of extracting and concentrating mercury from coal. The researchers developed a system that slowly burns the coal under controlled conditions in a series of furnaces and then traps the mercury that is released.

More work is needed to perfect the fingerprinting technique, but Blum envisions using it in a number of ways to track mercury and assess its environmental effects.

"Coal-burning plants are being built in China at an alarming rate---something like two per week---and the amount of mercury emitted to the atmosphere is increasing dramatically. We think we may be able to detect mercury coming from specific regions in China and watch it as it's transported and re-deposited around the globe," Blum said.

Closer to home, a number of coal-burning power plants have been proposed for construction in Michigan, and one question that arises during the permitting process is how much mercury may end up in nearby lakes and wetlands.

"Scientists have models and other ways of estimating how much mercury will be deposited locally, but we may, for the first time, be able to directly differentiate between mercury coming from local plants and mercury that has been transported longer distances."

In a project already underway, Blum's research group hopes to pinpoint which of the many mercury sources in the San Francisco Bay area are contributing most to the contamination of fish and wildlife.

"We don't know whether particular sources of mercury are more biologically available than others and thus more likely to accumulate in animals," Blum said. "If we can figure that out, then we can help local agencies decide where efforts will be most productive in terms of preventing wildlife from being exposed to mercury."

A major influence on Blum's research path into mercury isotopes was Clair Patterson, a famous geochemist on the faculty at Caltech when Blum was a graduate student there. Patterson developed and applied the lead isotopic fingerprinting technique to show the world that unhealthy levels of lead in humans could be traced to lead additives in gasoline. His work ultimately led to the removal of lead from gasoline in the U.S.

"The approach we are taking is similar to what Patterson did with lead isotopes, except the isotopic differences in mercury are about 50 times smaller," Blum said. "If we can do a tenth of what he did, in terms of alerting people to where mercury is coming from and how people are being exposed, I'll be thrilled."

The research is published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Blum's coauthors on the Environmental Science & Technology paper are two former postdoctoral fellows, Abir Biswas and Bridget Bergquist; Gerald Keeler, director of the U-M Air Quality Laboratory; and Zhouqing Xie of the University of Science and Technology of China. The researchers received funding from the National Science Foundation, the University of Michigan and Sigma Xi.

New evidence released highlights dangers of mercury toxicity in fish

2008-10-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

BYM Marine Environment News (USA) reported today that new evidence released highlights dangers of mercury toxicity in fish.

The article states:

"Dr. Jane Hightower -- widely acknowledged as the first US physician to recognize low-level mercury poisoning in patients who regularly consume certain types of fish -- has released new evidence showing that the FDA has failed to inform and protect the public from the risks of mercury poisoning due to consumption of certain types of seafood. Dr. Hightower has released a new book, Diagnosis: Mercury: Money, Politics, and Poison, which is widely available in stores starting October 7, 2008.

"Common sense says that if you are not feeling well, and are eating poison, then stop eating it and see if you feel better," said Dr. Hightower. "The problem is that we are not given enough information about just how much mercury is in the fish that is widely available in stores and restaurants. Most American consumers are simply unaware that the fish they eat could be making them sick."

Using newly available legal testimony and investigative research into the source of the scientific data that inform the FDA's mercury consumption guidelines, Dr. Hightower has pulled together information that should concern everyone in the United States.

The FDA's current mercury consumption guidelines are rooted in a study of the victims of a mass methylmercury poisoning in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. While researchers from the University of Rochester and the World Health Organization wrote articles about the effects of mercury on these victims, Dr. Hightower shows that their conclusions were based on data provided by one of Hussein's government allies. And this associate in Iraq's health ministry -- who oversaw the study of Iraqi victims of mercury toxicity -- has recently revealed that he withheld information from researchers, information that might have shown severe effects at much lower levels of exposure.

When the FDA and the swordfishing giant Anderson Seafood Inc. went to court in the mid-1970s over the FDA's consumption guidelines, Anderson used the Iraqi study as proof that high levels of mercury exposure are safe for the general public. The company won its case based on the evidence presented in court. But in the course of Dr. Hightower's research she discovered that one of the lead investigators of the Iraqi poisoning disputed the fishing industry's claim of how much mercury is safe to eat. Even as government agencies around the world -- including our own EPA -- have moved away from the "safe" levels based on the Iraq studies, the FDA has failed to adequately warn the public that mercury-laden seafood is a major threat to their health. The concern reaches far beyond women of childbearing age and children.

"Diagnosis: Mercury brings together the strongest evidence to date that the FDA's guidelines for fish consumption are insufficient," said Chuck Savitt, president of Island Press, which published the book. "We simply don't know how widespread low-level mercury toxicity is in the United States, and this book tells us that regular consumers of certain types of fish are in danger."

Hightower's research spans from individual patients in her practice to widespread mercury poisonings in Japan, Canada, and Iraq. Diagnosis: Mercury makes a powerful case for increased study and stronger FDA regulation of this poison in our food supply."

My Detox Decisions

2008-10-06T05:49:00.001-07:00

We finally based our detox decisions largely on 2 websites: Dr Sarah Mayhill's Toxicity of Dental Amalgams & Detoxification Overview and Joseph Mercola's Mercury Detoxification Protocol

For 2 weeks prior to removal we took 2 scoops of Biocare vitamin C powder, 2 drops of Biocare liquid selenium and 4 chlorella tablets everyday. On the day of removal we took 2 charcoal tablets just prior to treatment and then 2 more every 4 hours for 24 hours (missing 1 dose in the middle of the night!). Following removal we upped the vitamin C to 4 scoops daily, selenium to 4 drops daily and chlorella to 6 tablets daily and we introduced 2 drops of Biocare vitamin E. Two weeks after removal we started to eat as much coriander (cilantro) and garlic as possible and we introduced kelp tablets everyday.

For my husband (who had far more amalgam fillings) we continued the high doses for 2 months and for myself 1 month. Then we reduced the vitamin C back to 2 scoops daily, exchanged the selenium for brazil nuts and stopped the vitamin E and chlorella (though we are considering restarting the chlorella as I write...). We continue to take the kelp tablets. Throughout we have made every effort to remain well hydrated (using reverse osmosis filtered water).

We took infra-red saunas regularly for the first few weeks and we continue to as often as we can. We took Epsom salt baths several times a week for the first 2 weeks and we continue to as often as we can. We put a high value on sleep and made a big effort to be in bed before 10:30pm for the first month and we continue to make every effort to be in bed by 11pm.

Prior to removal we changed our diet from a conventional vegetarian, low fat diet to a diet that follows the advice of the Weston A. Price Foundation. We drink kombucha and water kefir everyday and we've recently introduced milk kefir several times a week.

This week I have made a first batch of beet kvass and I've introduced milk thistle tablets daily. I am currently looking at the chelating properties of miso and considering introducing it to our diet.

I'm sure there are things we could have done/could do better.....but at least we did something!

How do you detox following amalgam removal?

2008-10-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Guidelines on detoxification following amalgam removal are both confusing and contradictory. For the ordinary person trying to wade their way through the science it is far from an easy task. The fear is always of making things worse. Even many mercury-free dentists offering 'safe' amalgam removal seem reluctant to venture far into the realms of detox and having ventured I can understand why; it's a minefield out there.

It is clear that it is important to be as well as possible before embarking on the removal process. When the light goes on in your head and you begin to believe that amalgam fillings are toxic the temptation is to rush straight to the dentist's surgery and demand complete removal but this is not considered wise. Despite the sense of urgency it is important to find a dentist who will protect you as much as is possible from further exposure and it is important to do what you can to improve your health prior to treatment in order that your body can better withstand removal.

It is wise to consider diet and lifestyle changes as a first step towards improved health. What changes you decide to make however have to be based on what you believe are the best choices for your health and you'd think that would be easy.....but no!

One of the first things we looked at was nutrition. I have always eaten what I believed to be a healthy diet. I based my dietary choices on what I was taught in school and what I read from a wide range of sources. I cut back on red meat, animal fats, eggs and salt. I drank skimmed or semi-skimmed pasteurised milk and I ate fish and vegetable oils. I was convinced I was doing what was right for my health.....but was I? I fear now that I was misguided, misguided by the pressures and prejudices of our society. Having reconsidered diet and dietary requirements for good health I now believe grass-fed organic red meat, organic animal fats, organic free-range eggs, sea salt, raw organic butter and full-fat raw organic milk are all good for your health. Foods I previously thought of as healthy like soy, rice cakes, skimmed milk, most fish and many vegetable oils I now avoid. In fact I have turned my diet on its head. I have based these changes largely on the research of a dentist called Weston A. Price who during the 1930's observed the connection between diet and health in fourteen different population groups untouched by civilisation. There is much I'd like to share here and I hope to return to this topic in the future but for now further information can be found at the fantastic Weston A. Price Foundation Website.

Deciding on what detoxification steps to follow is not easy and you may hope to enlist the help of a medical 'professional' but for many people access to an informed medical advisor locally is not an option. Often where it is the costs are prohibitory. Many people, myself included, are forced to turn to the internet for detoxification advice. Here the only point that sees to unit the many advisors is their resolution that they and only they are correct and that all other advice is at best useless and at worst life threatening! This only adds to the confusion and anxiety.

In the end I decided that the worst decision I could make with regard to detoxification was to make no decison at all and so I took my own life in my own hands and took a leap of faith....

http://themercurymonster.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-detox-decisions.html

The Healing Crisis

2008-09-22T03:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't had the energy to post recently. I think my body is undergoing a classic 'healing crisis'; headache, uneasiness, flu like symptoms and extreme fatigue. At least I hope that's what it is because I've felt horrible. I've read that this sort of reaction (also known as a Herxheimer Reaction) can occur when the body is detoxifying too rapidly and toxins are being released faster than the body can eliminate them so I've cut back on my detox measures and I'm trying (but not always succeeding) to be good to myself and to:

- Drinks lots of pure filtered water
- Get lots of sleep (my toddler permitting!)
- Get some exercise daily (my toddler providing!!)
- Lots of sunshine(at last :)) and fresh air
- Take detox baths with Epsom salts
- Sweat by using exercise, saunas and baths
- Avoid foreign chemicals and refined processed foods

I'm feeling alot better today and hence the posting! I'm praying that the worst is over but we'll have to see ..... it may be a long haul.

2 weeks on....

2008-09-09T00:43:00.000-07:00

It's been 2 weeks since I had my last amalgam filling removed. The most obvious change for me has been the crippling tiredness. I felt tired before (I have a 22 month old little boy!) but recently I've found myself having to really fight to stay awake. I suspect there is a thyroid connection and the changes within my body have thrown my metabolism into disarray. I've started to take a daily kelp supplement (high in iodine) and though it's still early days I'm hopeful that it may be helping.

MERCURY - What is it?

2008-09-03T02:19:00.000-07:00

Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is a metal which is liquid at standard conditions of temperature and pressure. Liquid mercury is highly volatile and even at ordinary room temperature gives off a toxic vapour that is readily absorbed into the body via the lungs.

Most of the world's mercury is obtained from the bright red mineral cinnabar (mercury sulphide) and is chiefly found in rocks that are associated with volcanic action. In recent years, world production has fallen as reserves have become depleted. Italy, Slovenia, the United States and Mexico, which were formerly leading producers have been largely mined out. Most mercury production today takes place in Spain, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Tajikistan.

Despite its toxicity mercury has many uses, chiefly within the need of pharmaceuticals, fungicides and dentistry. Mercury does not stick to glass or wet it. This and the fact that it expands easily and rapidly as the temperature increases makes mercury ideal for thermometers and barometers. Mercury also is a good thermal conductor, making it an excellent shield and coolant in nuclear reactors. Mercury vapour is used instead of steam in the boilers of some turbine engines. Since Mercury is not attacked by dry air, oxygen, or carbon dioxide at room temperature, it forms an excellent conductor of electricity. This makes it useful in sealed electrical switches and relays. In vapour form, electrical charges cause mercury to produce a bluish glow in ultraviolet light. This characteristic puts mercury to use in vapour lamps. Mercury dissolves many metals, including sodium, potassium, tin, copper, gold and silver forming alloys called amalgams. As it does not amalgamate with iron, mercury is often stored in iron containers.

Mad as a Hatter

2008-08-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

The worst thing about mercury is it messes with your head. Indeed the psychological symptoms associated with mercury poisoning are said by some to have inspired the phrase "mad as a hatter"; as in the 18th and 19th century mercury-based compounds were used in the manufacture of felt hats!

There is no question that mercury is a highly dangerous cumulative heavy metal poison. It is generally accepted that it causes various psychiatric disturbances including mood swings, depression, irrational fears, irritability, aggression and anxiety. It has also been associated with schizoid tendencies and obsessive compulsive disorder.

The exact combination of mercury-induced symptoms varies enormously from person to person and the list of possible symptoms is a long one including various sensory, physical and behavioural disturbances but the effects it has on the mind I feel are the most cruel and disturbing. It robs its victims of their powers of concentration and their ability to think clearly and objectively. It makes it very difficult to rationalise what is happening and to seek help. Mercury really is a monster.

Amalgam Free

2008-08-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

As of 9:30am today I am amalgam free :)

Putting my toe into the water.....

2008-08-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

I've never been any good at getting into the swimming pool. I watch enviously as others march straight up and jump in without a care. I've always hung around at the side slowly edging my way into the water. It feels very much the same with this blog. I want to jump right in but I just can't seem to! So this is a first post; a metaphorical toe in the water.

On Thursday I'm going to the dentist but not because I 'need' treatment. I'm going because I'm choosing to have the last of my amalgam fillings replaced. I'm going because I believe that amalgam fillings have no place in the human body. I'm going because I have grown to believe that amalgam fillings can make you ill.