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	news bulletins november 2001

• FDA and EPA Advisories on Methyl Mercury and Fish Consumption
• Maine Dentists to Inform Patients on Dangers of Amalgam Fillings
• Mercury-Free Alternative to Rhogam

FDA and EPA Advisories on Methyl Mercury and Fish Consumption
The Food and Drug Administration advises that pregnant and nursing women, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, and young children should avoid consuming fish that contain high levels of methyl mercury. Longer-lived predator fish, such as tilefish, shark, swordfish, and king mackerel, accumulate the highest levels of methyl mercury, a byproduct of industrial pollution that gets into the food chain. Consumption of these fish may pose a real danger to a fetus's developing nervous system as well as to small children.

The Environmental Protection Agency also warns of the hazards of mercury contamination in noncommercial fish caught by family and friends. The agency strongly advises consumers to check with their state and local health departments regarding the safety of eating fish from local waters.

For more information, check out http://www.epa.gov/ost/fish and http://www.cfsan.fda.gov, or call toll-free 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Maine Dentists to Inform Patients on Dangers of Amalgam Fillings
On September 8, Maine adopted a new law requiring dentists to inform their patients that "silver amalgam fillings" contain a high percentage (49%) of mercury, a known neuro- and nephro-toxic metal that can be harmful to the health of fetuses, children, and adults.

As he signed the bill, Governor Angus King noted that Maine had taken action to get mercury out of the air and water, and "yet we all carry it around in our mouths." The new law mandates that every dentist's office will display a poster and brochures informing patients of the dangers of amalgam fillings.

Research has shown that the chief sources of mercury exposure in the human body are these amalgams, vaccines, food, and environmental exposure. Mercury exposure is now linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, autism, ADD/ADHD, speech and language delay, and a host of other neurological disorders in children. In spite of all this, and the fact that mercury ranks third on the EPA's list of the 20 most hazardous substances, the American Dental Association still maintains that such fillings are safe.

Maine Senate President Michael Michaud applauded the courage of those who stood up to the ADA and said, "We hope that the US will take Maine's lead and move forward with legislation at the national level."

For more info: http://www.altcorp.com/haleyresponds.htm and http://www.mercola.com/2001/sep/8/mercury.htm.

Mercury-Free Alternative to Rhogam
Rhogam, which is used to suppress RH sensitization in pregnant women, is now available in a mercury-free alternative. Called WinRho SDF, the new product is manufactured by Canjene Corporation of Winnipeg, Canada, and distributed by NABI (1-800-458-4244, option #2). A package insert in PDF format and other product information can be accessed by you and your doctor at the NABI website, http://www.nabi.com//products/sdf1.htm.