Mercury and Autism Charles Lamar Environmental Testing Laboratories Patty Els Environmental Testing Laboratories Ed Irwin Freeport High School

Introduction Mercury is a metallic element that is liquid at room temperature and is used in thermometers, barometers, vapor lamps, batteries, and in the preparation of chemical pesticides. In short, everyone is exposed to varying levels of mercury, whether it be through vaccination, absorption in the womb, the consumption of contaminated seafood, or a workplace accident. Autism, otherwise known as autism spectrum disorder, is one of the five Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The disorder is expressed in varying degrees of disability. ASD is a disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. People with ASD often display difficulties in the areas of verbal communication, social interaction, and leisure activity.

…Continued ASD is the most prevalent of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders. An estimated 1 in 166 births are affected. Currently, there are several methods of treatment but there are no known means of prevention. Modern methods of treatment include therapy. This is the process by which heavy metals are removed from the bloodstream. Modern methods of treatment include chelation therapy. This is the process by which heavy metals are removed from the bloodstream.

It has been suggested in recent years that there is a direct correlation between the level of mercury exposure a person receives during early development and their chances of developing autistic tendencies.

Problem If all people are exposed to mercury in some form or another, why doesn’t everyone develop ASD?

There are two primary research questions being addressed by this study: 1. Is cold vapor atomic absorption capable of quantitatively measuring the level of mercury excreted in head hair? 1. Is cold vapor atomic absorption capable of quantitatively measuring the level of mercury excreted in head hair? 2. Can levels of excreted mercury in head hair be used as an accurate indicator of autistic spectrum disorder?

Materials Potassium Permanganate Potassium Permanganate Stannous-Chloride Stannous-Chloride Argon Gas Argon Gas Nitric Acid Nitric Acid Sulfuric Acid Sulfuric Acid Reagent Grade Water Reagent Grade Water Mercury Analyzer Mercury Analyzer BOD Bottles BOD Bottles Water Bath Water Bath Analytical Balance Analytical Balance Hair samples Hair samples

PROCEDURE The parent of each Autistic volunteer will cut (not pull) a small locket of hair from the back of the head. This can be accomplished in the student’s home during a regularly scheduled hair cut without any disruption in the child’s environment or routine. The parent of each Autistic volunteer will cut (not pull) a small locket of hair from the back of the head. This can be accomplished in the student’s home during a regularly scheduled hair cut without any disruption in the child’s 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 Results Mercury Levels (parts per million) Gender: Male AgeCodeppmNotes 14D-FHS1.19control high functioning autistic 15KFI0.028low functioning autistic KFI0.037mean = KFI0.037mean = 0.033

Gender: Female AgeCodeppmNotes 14C-FHS0.39control 16S-FHS0.79control 14M-FHS1.50control 8EC0.64high functioning autistic: chelation therapy

Discussion The preliminary results show that the control participants were better able to release mercury through the hair follicles. This supports the idea that people with ASD developed the disorder not because they were exposed to mercury, but rather they were unable to release the mercury. The preliminary results show that the control participants were better able to release mercury through the hair follicles. This supports the idea that people with ASD developed the disorder not because they were exposed to mercury, but rather they were unable to release the mercury. The results for the student who received chelation therapy are currently not understood. It is unclear whether she is a high functioning autistic student because of the treatment, or, because she is capable of releasing a substantial amount of the element.

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

References Autism Society of America Autism Society of America

Acknowledgements Dr. Sat Bhattacharya Dr. Sat Bhattacharya Harlem Children's Society Harlem Children's Society Kristin Cook Kristin Cook Ruth Lawrence Ruth Lawrence Mr. Ed Irwin Mr. Ed Irwin Patty Els Patty Els