Mercury - (Almost) Everything You Need to Know About this Toxic Chemical

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http://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/31/mercury_coal.htm

US EPA Proposes Regulations to Cut Mercury Emissions From Coal-Fired Power

Plants

Carol Browner, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said they

would be proposing new regulations requiring coal-fired power plants to cut

their toxic emissions of mercury by 2003 with final rules in place by 2004.

" Mercury from power plants settles over waterways, polluting rivers and

lakes, and contaminating fish, " she said in a statement. " The greatest

source of mercury emissions is power plants, and they have never been

required to control these emissions before now. "

Environmental groups had for years urged the EPA to add mercury to a long

list of power plant emissions already regulated to keep the air and water

clean.

The primary reason for the regulations is to protect the unborn children of

women who eat large amounts of fish while pregnant, according to Browner.

Toxic mercury emissions have been blamed for damaging the nervous system of

unborn babies when their mothers eat large amounts of fish. The fish are

contaminated through polluted waterways near coal-fired power plants.

A National Academy of Sciences report earlier this year said US coal-fired

utilities emitted about 40 tons of mercury annually, and that vulnerable

groups such as pregnant women could suffer great harm from contamination.

Industry experts have said there are few options to control mercury

emissions and that regulations such as those proposed, could cost power

plants billions of dollars.

However, Browner is a Democratic appointee of President Clinton who is

expected to leave the EPA next month when Republican President-elect

W. Bush takes power and Whitman, the New Jersey governor takes

over, said they should reduce US mercury emissions by nearly 50% from 1990

levels.

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DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT: Coal fired utility plants are releasing 40 TONS or

80,000 pounds of mercury a year into the air. So, those of you who live near

one of these beasts need to be more concerned about air filters at work and

home than taking care of the amalgams in your mouth.

It also explains why most all fish are contaminated with mercury. Where do

you think this mercury winds up? Much of it goes into the water system and

even pristine lakes in the mountains, far removed from society, are

contaminated with mercury as a result of the winds, which blow this mercury

around.

Even without the water becoming contaminated, people may still become

exposed to the mercury emissions. They may breath some of the particles in

before they fall to the ground. And what happens to the mercury particles

that fall, not in the lakes and waterways, but on the ground?

Some of these will be tracked around on the bottoms of people's shoes, even

winding up in the home, since most people don't follow the important rule of

removing ones shoes when entering the home. Once, in the home children can

get them on their hands, which inevitably wind up in their mouths. Also,

what about the mercury emissions that wind up landing in a nice green

pasture, where cows are grazing. The cows then eat the particles along with

the grass and the mercury enters their systems. This means higher mercury

levels in the milk and meat from these animals.

National Academy of Sciences Backs Stricter Mercury Standards

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) says the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) was using correct science in setting tight standards for

mercury exposure to protect at-risk groups, namely children of women who

consumed large amounts of fish during pregnancy.

The EPA is currently discussing new regulations for controlling emissions

from the main sources of mercury exposure: coal-fired utility boilers, which

release around 40 tons of mercury annually in the United States.

Proponents for capping mercury emissions hailed the NAS findings, claiming

they cleared the way for new controls.

" Mercury is the last major toxic substance without an emissions control

plan. The report brings us to the goal line, and Congress needs to act in

the public's interest and to stop doing the bidding of the special

interests, " said Sen. Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont.

The NAS report was issued as part of an 18-month review of the EPA mercury

standards. The science group said the EPA's current " reference dose " for

methylmercury, a common mercury compound, of 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of

body weight per day, was justified.

In the past, mercury poisoning has resulted in mental retardation, cerebral

palsy, deafness and blindness.

The NAS concludes that mercury pollution is sufficient to result in an

increase in the number of children who have to struggle to keep up in school

and who might require remedial classes or special education.

NAS said the long-term goal of programs to reduce mercury exposure should be

aimed at reducing the amount of mercury in fish and seafood, and not by

telling pregnant women to cut down on fish consumption, which is generally

beneficial to people.

" The science is in. Mercury is highly toxic. The federal government needs to

stop the delaying tactics and reduce human exposures to mercury, " said

Bender, executive director of the Mercury Project.

Mercury reaches brain directly through nerves

Despite its inability to pass through the brain's protective barrier by way

of the blood circulation, studies in fish suggest that mercury, which is

toxic to brain cells, can travel directly to the brain through nerves.

According to the research team, this is the first study to establish that

mercury can enter the brain via nerves. The finding can be extrapolated to

humans, as nerve transport also occurs in mammals, including humans. The

investigators exposed brown trout and rainbow trout to mercury by adding it

to the water surrounding them. The researchers also injected fish with

solutions containing mercury, and then looked for mercury in their bodies

using a technique called whole-body autoradiography.

Environmental Science and Technology October 1, 1999;33.

Prenatal Mercury Exposure Raises Blood Pressure

Exposure to mercury before birth may lead to increased blood pressure in

childhood, reports an international team of researchers. The islanders

consume a diet rich in marine products, such as pilot whale meat, which

expose them to mercury, according to the investigators. Blood pressures

increased by about 14 points as blood mercury concentrations at birth

increased from 1 to 10 micrograms per liter. The report indicates that 10

micrograms per liter corresponds to the upper limit of mercury exposure

recommended by the German Commission on Human Biomonitoring, indicating that

blood pressure can be increased by exposure to mercury levels below

recommended limits. Children with lower birth weights experienced blood

pressure increases about 50% higher than normal birth weight children having

similar mercury levels. The investigators cite evidence that mercury

toxicity can cause high blood pressure that persists long after the mercury

exposure has been removed, resulting in a significant risk for diseases such

as heart attack and stroke.

Epidemiology July 1999;10:370-375.

Mercury Detoxification Protocol

1. Diet.

Avoid all sugar and milk, limit all processed foods and most grains,

especially wheat. Read the Optimal Wellness Handout

http://www.mercola.com/forms/reaching_optimum_wellness.htm every day for

two weeks and follow it. Read the detailed version at least twice.

http://www.mercola.com/forms/wellness_condensed.htm

It will be important to have a high protein diet as the sulfur bearing amino

acids in the protein will greatly facilitate detoxification. Do NOT attempt

to fast during DMPS mercury detoxification. If you are a vegetarian you will

be at HIGH risk for complications from DMPS unless you have a large amount

of protein.

Whey protein can be used as a supplement as it is high in glutathione and

branched chain amino acids. Two large tablespoons are used per drink and

that can be taken once a day and twice a day for the week prior to DMPS

chelation.

Autistic children can't use this product as it contains casein. They can use

pure branched chain amino acids. You can start with one capsule twice daily

and mix with food. Work up to two capsules twice a day for the week prior to

DMPS chelation.

2. Beneficial Bacteria

Take one quarter to one half teaspoon once a day of a high potency high

quality strain. It is vital to have an optimized bowel flora for

detoxification.

3. Maintain two to three bowel movements per day

If you are not having this many bowel movements make certain that your

thyroid status has been checked. It is very common for mercury to affect the

thyroid. If your thyroid function is fine then you should add some

magnesium.

If you are on long-term magnesium it is important to take some calcium with

it or after awhile you will develop an imbalance in your calcium magnesium

ratio which could result in severe cramping.

Freshly ground flax seed several teaspoons per day will facilitate

intestinal movement and also contribute some healthy essential fatty acids.

4. Unload the connective tissue with Chlorella or ProChitosan.

Chlorella and ProChitosan are an important part of the detoxification

program, as approximately 90% of the mercury in our bodies is eliminated

through the stool. Chlorella is an algae and, unlike Protchitosan, has

protein high levels of chlorophyll and other nutrients which can be used for

nourishment.

The chlorella powder is the most cost effective approach but some people

will prefer the tablets or capsules for convenience. A simple way to

dissolve the powder is to place it in a container with a lid partially

filled with water. Then tighten the lid and shake to dissolve and drink the

solution.

Caution: About 30% of people can't tolerate chlorella. This may be due to

optimized function of the enzyme cellulase. If you are unable to tolerate

this it would be wise to consider adding an enzyme with cellulase in it to

help digest the chlorella.

Dose: One can start out with a one quarter of a teaspoon of the powder (one

500 mg tablet) once a day initially to confirm that there is no

hypersensitivity present. Work up slowly over one to two weeks to a dose of

one teaspoon (ten tablets or capsules) per day. Once you tolerate this dose

you are able to use it to bind the mercury. Use this dose starting two days

prior to your chelation and for one day afterwards. The chlorella will

thoroughly coat your intestine and bind like a sponge to any mercury that

the DMPS liberates into the gut.

The above dose is based on a 150 pound adult. If you are using the program

for children reduce the dose proportionately. (So a 30 pound child would

have 30/150 or 1/5 (20%) of the dose).

Caution: If at any time one develops nausea or starts " burping up " the

chlorella taste then the chlorella should be stopped immediately as a food

sensitivity is developing which will only worsen if you continue taking it.

If this happens you should switch to ProChitosan This binds similarly to

mercury. Its dose is dependent on your bowel movements.

If you have one bowel movement a day or less you should start two days prior

to the DMPS . If you have two or more bowel movement you can start 24 hours

prior to the DMPS. Stay on it for 24 hours after the DMPS. So you will be on

it either two or three days. The dose is two capsules three times a day. Be

sure to drink it with plenty of water and increase magnesium if constipation

develops.

Porphrazyme from Biotics Research is another alternative to chlorella that

many clinicians have had success with in mercury detoxification.

5. Start Garlic or MSM. It would be wise to start on garlic regularly to

enhance sulfur stores. Use the food, rather than the supplement garlic. Try

to get in three cloves per day, but decrease the dose if your odor becomes

socially offensive.

Again, as indicated in the chlorella section above, children will have

proportionately lower doses.

MSM is a form of sulfur which will help your body to remove the mercury. The

initial dose is one capsule twice a day. Increase by one capsule a day until

you are at three capsules twice a day. If you have root canals and are

chronically sick you may want to increase to five capsules three times a

day.

6. Start Cilantro Cilantro will help mobilize mercury out of the tissue so

the DMPS can attach to it and allow it to be excreted from the body. The

best form of cilantro is a tincture available from Dragon River

(505-583-2348).

The dose is one dropper applied on the wrists and rubbed in twice a day for

the two weeks preceding the DMPS IV. It is used the morning prior to the

DMPS chelation but can be stopped for the following two weeks. The tincture

is also particularly useful for any joint pain and could be rubbed on the

joint that is hurting as an alternative.

You can also augment the tincture with using the herb. It is not as potent,

but certainly will add to the program. However, like chlorella, many people

are sensitive to oral cilantro. So, if you develop any nausea or discomfort

after eating cilantro do not use it orally.

7. Mineral Replacement.

It is important to have a generally healthy mineral base. The body works

better with toxic metals than no metals at all. Enzymes have certain binding

sites that require a metal for them to perform their function as a catalyst.

When you are deficient in magnesium, sodium, zinc and other minerals, the

body does not let go of the toxic metals very easily.

Selenium and zinc are particularly important trace mineral in mercury

detoxification and should be used for most people.

Generally the citrate form of minerals works quite nicely unless one has an

low blood phosphorous level. It is important to not take copper or iron

though unless a clinician has examined a hair analysis and or blood work and

recommended these minerals. Thorne Research has Citramins II which is

citrated minerals without copper or iron.

Hydrochloric Acid: If you do not have a sufficient amount of hydrochloric

acid secreted by your stomach then it will be very difficult to ionize

mineral supplements to absorb them properly. There is a hydrochloric acid

reflex present on the lowest rib approximately one inch lateral to the

midline. If this area on the rib is tender to palpation there is a strong

likelihood the person is deficient in hydrochloric acid and would benefit

from supplementation.

This is especially common in individuals over 50 years old, and also in

individuals with food allergies. One to six capsules or more of Betaine

hydrochloride is generally taken with the first bite of every meal for

proper digestive support. The Betaine can be discontinued once the reflex

point in non-tender to deep palpation.

Monitoring Your Mineral Dosing

It will be very important to monitor your mineral levels during the

detoxification program. This should be done initially and at least every

6-12 weeks. I only recommend two labs to do this work. Trace Elements and

Analytical Research as they are the only two labs that do not wash the hair

samples prior to analysis.

8. Digestion and Gall Bladder Support for Autism

Liver and gallbladder congestion are major issues in states of toxicity. To

insure that your gallbladder bile flow is functional add magnesium taurate

or taurine, butyric acid (Butryex 559-433-3110)

The dose of the Butyrex initially is 1/8-1/4 of capsule. Gradually increase

the dose to 5 capsules 3 times daily. The Butyrex has a offensive odor which

is lessened by keeping it in the freezer. Additionally inserting the powder

in applesauce, raw honey or elderberry cough syrup may improve compliance.

Digestive enzymes (containing lipase) and CCK (stimulates contraction of the

gall bladder. These can be used one hour after meals containing fat. CCK is

taken after dinner (high fat meal)

young children 1/4 tablet

older children 1/2 tablet

teenagers 1 tablet

adults 2 to 4 tablets

Your ability to clear toxins will be impaired if you do not have proper fats

to support digestive function. Your diet should contain adequate fat from

unprocessed pure oils. Omega Nutrition, Flora or Arrowhead Mills

sunflower

safflower

sesame

OR fats naturally found in foods:

seeds

nuts

avocado

free range organic poultry, eggs, or meats

9. Antioxidants:

Vitamin C and E. It would be wise to take Unique vitamin E one capsule per

day and about 250-500 mg of vitamin C with each meal. If you are exercising

aggressively you can take 1000 mg of C 15-30 minutes prior to exercising. It

is also wise to consider adding 2-4,000 mg of Vitamin C powder to a half

gallon of water and drinking that throughout the day.

It will be VERY important to take 2000 units (typically five of the 400 unit

capsules) of vitamin E the day of and the day after the DMPS injection as

this will decrease the side effects of the detoxification reaction

considerably. You can also take 1-2 grams of vitamin C immediately prior to

the DMPS injection.

10. Start Monthly DMPS Injections, Suppositories or Transdermal

You should not have DMPS if you still have amalgam fillings. If they have

been removed the injections can be started on a monthly basis. Collection of

the urine is then down to analyze how much mercury is being excreted. One

must urinate completely prior to the injection.

I perform the analysis at 90 minutes as that is most convenient, but others

do four or 24 hour collections. The DMPS injections are generally given

about six times or until the level drops into single digits or you are

feeling better.

For pediatric patients

You can click here to find out why I don't recommend DMSA mercury chelation.

Since an IV is such a traumatic event for most children it is probably wise

to use a rectal suppository version of DMPS which is available from most

compounding pharmacists. Another alternative is to apply the dose

transdermally with DMSO. This is very similar to the way that the hormone

secretin is being used for many autistic patients.

The dose is 5 mg of DMPS per kg of body weight and is generally given once a

month. The urine collection for pediatric patients incorporates a bag to

collect the urine for mercury analysis.

CAUTION: It is very important to NEVER receive DMPS injections when you

still have mercury fillings in your mouth. DMPS is capable of removing the

mercury from the fillings and causing severe complications.

11. DMPS Alternative

Some people do not tolerate DMPS well. This is especially true for those who

have damage in the central nervous system, such as those with MS or ALS or

children with fragile brain architecture. If this is the case there are

several options. PCA (peptid clathrating agent) spray can be used. The dose

is 4 sprays under the tongue every day or every other day. One may use a

dipeptide amino acid or mixed mineral succinates such as Champion Nutrition

Muscle Nitro.