A FEW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
AMALGAM RELATED ILLNESS
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"Can Amalgam make you ill"
-------------------------------------------------------------
The short answer is, I believe, yes - there is now a body of
evidence that the Mercury that leaks from Dental Amalgam "silver"
fillings can cause serious illnesses - with many hundreds
of scientific research articles from reputable sources
(ie. World Health Organisation consultants) indicating this
to be so.
Amalgam fillings contain about 50% mercury, usually over 0.5 grams,
bonded together with other metals such as Silver and Tin (and
sometimes copper). In modern times, the dangers of Mercury as an
environmental pollutant has become widely known - it is
scientifically recognised by the worlds leading toxicologists, as
the most toxic non-radioactive element known to man.
While, in the past, the American Dental Association (ADA) and
British Dental Association (BDA) have traditionally always claimed
no Mercury leaks from the Amalgam bonds, there is now conclusive
evidence that Mercury vapour is slowly released, and is absorbed
by the lungs.
Once Mercury enters the body, there is evidence to strongly
indicate that it can cause a wide range of ailments and symptoms
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), Asthma, Allergies, Alzheimers
disease, Multiple Sclerosis and a wide range of neurological,
psycological & "auto-immune" illnesses. (ie: see BUND study below)
It should be emphasised at this point that what happens for any
individual probably depends on many VARIABLE factors. For example:
Diet (evidence is that some vitamins, thiol-containing amino-
acids & minerals like Selenium protect against mercury), the exact
type/mix/condition of amalgam used (it varies - see below) and
general health (Liver/Glutathione level) seem to determine whether
the person can excrete this mercury load.
Those who cannot excrete Mercury risk a slow build up in the
thiol-containing tissues of the body (Mercury has a high affinity
for thiols) - ie. nerve/myelin/brain cells are particularly
at risk.
There is an important point - a common "gut" reaction of some
people is "I have lots of amalgam fillings & I am healthy, so
amalgam is ok". This is an incorrect assumption, that
overlooks VARIABLE factors, such as I have just outlined.
(Its a bit like saying "I have asbestos in my home & dont
have asbestosis, therefore asbestosis doesnt exist")
I should stress here that Amalgam is not the ONLY source of
mercury, nor the only evironmental neurotoxin - just probably
the largest single source of such toxins. But not EVERY victim
of the above ailments has the condition caused purely by
Amalgam (and different neurotoxins and factors can interact too,
complicating the situation further)
Because so many symptoms of CHRONIC and/or SUB-ACUTE (as apposed
to ACUTE) mercury poisoning resemble the slow onset of psyciatric
illnesses, doctors will often mis-diagnose the ailment as
psycosomatic in origin. Futhermore there is usually a time-delay
before onset of the most serious diagnosable conditions, meaning
that the dentist will be unaware of the fact that a percentage
of his clients become ill as a result of Amalgam.
Here are some more variables to consider.
What if the dentist did not mix the amalgam correctly before
placement, and the mixture ends up as 60%+ Mercury instead of 50%?
What if the mixture is not thorough, and pockets of Hg are left
which evaporate? Most research is based on "perfect" lab-prepared
50% Amalgam - the real-life situation could be much worse.
Its also worth remembering that, despite ADA claims of "150
years of Amalgam usage", the alloy mix has changed dramatically
over time - for instance, special "high-copper content" amalgams
were introduced recently in the 1960's - and there is research to
indicate *much* higher levels of leakage of Mercury from these
alloys compared to normal. The other question I would add is -
"What is the galvanic effect of mixed amalgam alloys, placed at
different times in the same mouth?". The danger of placing other
dissimilar metals close to amalgam in a persons mouth (ie. braces,
gold/other metal fillings) is a researched and known problem.
(recently acknowledged by the Canadian health authorities.)
This is because electrical galvanism between dissimilar metals
will dramatically effect the leakage rate of Mercury from Dental
Amalgam. My question seems, from what I can see, to be unanswed -
but potential a very important factor..
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"My dentist claims that NO mercury leaks from amalgam"
-------------------------------------------------------------
He is wrong - even the dental authorities now admit that
some mercury leaks.
(Extracts from IAOMT page:
http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/PDHA/health.htm)
World Health Organization Figures (World Health Organization,
Environmental Health Criteria 118: Inorganic Mercury, Geneva, 1991.)
The World Health Organization has calculated the average human
daily dose of mercury from various sources is:
Dental amalgam = 3.0-17.0 ug/day (Hg vapor)
Fish and Seafood = 2.3 ug/day (methylmercury)
Other food = 0.3 ug/day(inorganic Hg)
Air & Water = Negligible traces (NOTE ug = Micrograms)
From another source:- The US Environmental Protection safety
limits for mercury vapour are 10 ug per day, yet research
shows that fillings contribute between 1 and 29 ug/day - 3 times the
limit.
(Even those figures are reckoned now to be conservative for the
possible upper limit for mercury from amalgam - ie. if an old amalgam
filling is drilled carelessly, many HUNDREDTHS of a gram of mercury
could be released as vapour - W.H.O. figures were (ug) millionths of
a gram! Also, as I mentioned, what if the manually performed "mix" of
the amalgam, performed by a busy dentist, was incorrect - ie
60% Mercury, not 50%? All research is based on "perfect" mix
amalgam.. And also remember the new "copper" amalgams - all research
is based on traditional less leaky silver amalgams..)
There is an extract from a text on amalgam issued by the British Dental
Association via thier internet home page. While this
text has a strong "pro-amalgam" bias, it does have these
interesting quotes..
-----
"Can mercury from amalgam fillings reach the rest of the body?
Like most bio-materials, dental amalgam is not inert. Amalgam
fillings release mercury vapour, especially when teeth are
chewed on or brushed. Some of the vapour is exhaled but some reaches
the rest of the body through inhalation. Some also dissolves in saliva
and is swallowed. The amount of mercury which reaches the rest of the
body is very small, though related to the number of teeth with amalgam
fillings. Much of the mercury entering the body is excreted but some
accumulates in certain organs - especially the kidneys but also in the
brain, lungs, liver and gastrointestinal tract."
...
" About 3% of the population are estimated to suffer from mercury
sensitivity. Reactions sometimes occur in the soft tissues of the
mouth next to fillings..."
-----
Is "sensitivity" just a semaphore for "poisoned by"?
The rest of the document puts its case as best as
possible, selecting the most "pro-amalgam" research possible,
but the very careful wording used throughout is noticable
- very different from the bold assertions of safety they made
in the BBC Panorama program. (see WWW site below for complete text)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"My dentist claims that the Mercury that does leak from
Amalgam is not enought to cause harm."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Which is a reversal of the ADA's earlier claims that NO
mercury leaks from amalgam. However, there is indeed substantial
evidence indicating that Amalgam causes a variety of ailments.
Here is the most recent study..
(Thanks to BIOPROBE news: www.bioprobe.com)
AMALGAM BAN DEMANDED IN GERMANY
The following Press Release From Germany has been translated
by Mats Hanson, Ph.D. of Sweden.
BUND, Friends of the earth. The Association of Environment
and Environmental Protection, Germany. Dunanstrasse 16,
D-79110 Freiburg. Freiburg/Bonn, 28 January 1997
Review/Background Information
Presentation of the results of the largest trial on mercury release
from dental amalgam fillings in world, BUND demands:
No respite for amalgam - Amalgam ban overdue.
Amalgam has been the dental filling material of choice for 150
years. The criticism of this debated material has now been
further strengthened after the current results of the Tubingen
amalgam tests.
The largest experiment in the world ever conducted on mercury
release from Dental Amalgam fillings into the saliva was initiated
in the summer 1995 by BUND and carried out by the Department of
Environmental analysis labs at the university of Tubingen. After
a few hundred tests at the BUND- Environmental exhibition (tm)KO-95
in Ulm had shown a mean of more than four times higher mercury
levels in the saliva than the Bundesgesundheitsamt had reported,
BUND decided to act because of apparent governmental inactivity.
Funded by the MOMO-Children Foundation, we engaged the environmental
analytical group at the university of Tubingen for the scientific
realization of the largest experiment in the world on mercury
release from Dental Amalgam fillings. The analysis of the data
have been completed and sent to the Bundesinstitut fur Arzneimittel
und Medizinprodukte for publication.
Part 1: Mercury concentration In saliva from Dental Amalgam fillings.
In the first part of the study mercury levels in the saliva were
measured in 20,000 persons and related to the number of
Amalgam fillings. The aim was to evaluate whether and to what
degree there was an exposure to mercury from amalgam fillings.
The second part of the study examined the relation between the
levels of mercury in saliva and a special spectrum of symptoms.
Mercury levels strongly elevated.
When mercury levels in saliva were found to be more than 4-5 times
higher than the levels reported by the former Bundesgesundheitsamt
in 1984, (now Bundesinstitut fur Arzneimittels und Medizinalprodukte)
this caused alarm, both among the public as well as among professionals.
Continuation of these experiments were increasingly made more and more
difficult for the scientists at the University of Tubingen, a sign
of the alarming nature of the results. In addition to a great
deal of irrelevant criticism, it was also reported that WHO had
distanced itself from interpretations of the Tubingen study, which
also proved to be false. The fact that established mercury limits
were exceeded caused worry: The total tolerable weekly uptake
of mercury (including the vapor phase) stipulated by the W.H.O.
were exceeded.
About 43 % of the test subjects had higher, often several fold,
exposure than the permissible intake. Since it has already been
demonstrated that the mercury in the saliva is in solution and
*not* particulate, one has to calculate a much higher absorption
and mercury load than previously supposed. It is of importance
that in the 20-39 year old group (including women in the fertile
ages) the tolerable levels were more often exceeded. This can
be explained by the fact that the number of fillings in this group
is especially high with 9-11 fillings, compared to a mean of 8 in
the general German population. The tolerable intake was also often
exceeded for children with fewer fillings because of their lower
body weight.
Mercury load from amalgam fillings.
As a further statistical result the study established that the
mercury concentration in saliva (before and after chewing)
depends on the number amalgam fillings. The exposure to
mercury from amalgam fillings has been scientifically debated,
and the results from the Tubingen study clearly show an increased
mercury load from amalgam fillings.
Saliva test a method to establish the mercury load.
The criticism of the Tubingen amalgam study concentrated on the
question whether saliva was a better medium than for instance
blood and urine to evaluate mercury exposure, Recent research
confirms the advantages of the saliva test. The load on the oral
cavity and the gastrointestinal tract can be estimated better with
the saliva test than with any other available method. Hg can be
present in both the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract
without being detectable In blood or urine. It is clear that blood
and urine do not reflect the Hg-concentration in the oral
cavity/upper airways and in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition,
it was not possible to obtain a certification/standardization for
either blood (Dtsch Ges fur Arbeitsmed) or urine (Dtsch Ges fur
Kiln Chem) in the exposure range relevant for amalgam fillings.
In contrast, a standardization test by the State Medical Dept of
Stuttgart confirmed the excellent reproducibility for the saliva
test; laboratories which processed the samples with the same
method obtained consistent results; the standard error between the
10 laboratories was less than 15 %.
Part 2. Corelation between measured levels in saliva and health symptoms.
Every saliva test was accompanied by a questionnaire in which
the persons were asked for 30 symptoms. The analytical group at
Tubingen university evaluated 17500 completely answered
questionnaires. The question was whether there was a significant
relation between report of a symptom and the measured level of
Hg in the saliva after chewing.
It has to be stressed that the established relation has a direct
mathematical and statistical character and should not be casually
interpreted. A statistically significant difference does not
automatically mean a medical or biological relevance. Not even
multi variance analysis can decide which relations are caused by
chance and which by a casual relation.
Relation between symptoms and mercury concentrations in
saliva after chewing.
The Tubingen amalgam study could establish in the especially
examined group of 21-40 year old persons a statistically
significant relation between mercury levels in saliva and
symptoms. Only symptoms which are characteristic of subacute
or chronic mercury exposure in the low-level range were studied.
The set of symptoms are often called micromercurialism in
the literature,
There was a significant co-relation between the measured mercury
concentration and the following symptoms:
1. Mouth-oral cavity: Bleeding gingiva, metal taste, burning
tongue.
2. Central nervous system: Concentration difficulties, impaired
memory, sleep disturbances, lack of initiative, nervousness.
3. Gastrointestinal tract: not specified; further research is needed
to establish the diseases which are covered by the non- specific
label gastrointestinal problems.
Plausibility and explainability of the demonstrated symptoms.
In addition to high levels of mercury in saliva there has also been
demonstrated high levels in gingiva, pulp, oral mucosa, dentine,
roots and jaw bone. Amalgam fillings, as described in the
literature, lead to increased inflammation of the gingiva. In
addition the oral cavity will be affected by the Hg-vapor released
by the fillings. Experiments with cell cultures demonstrated that
the Hg-levels measured in the oral tissues (up to 8000 ng/g in the
mucosa) can lead to damage to human cells. It has also been
described that unpolished amalgam fillings can damage nearby
cells more than polished ones.
Also for the gastrointestinal tract it has been demonstrated that
there are high levels of mercury in the intestinal wall, intestinal
lymph nodes and in feces. The cause of this is that the mercury
which is swallowed with the saliva is only absorbed to 10% and
the rest remains in the gastrointestinal tract.
For both these body parts it has been established that blood and
urine levels are unsuitable to evaluate the mercury load. The
symptoms from the central nervous system show a remarkable
similarity with the classical mercury symptoms described in the
literature. For instance, effects of mercury on memory and
concentration has been repeatedly described in the literature.
The Tubingen group for environmental analysis stress that some
aspects of the study require further examination. For instance,
the relationships between mercury exposure to metal allergy, or
loss of hair, or the relationship to involuntary infertility.
In each of these considerations, tendencies were noted, however,
extensive and expensive further questionnaires are required. It
should be stressed that the results are statistical and do not
establish a causal relation for single cases for any symptom.
After the statistical relations found in the study, persons who
complain over problems with amalgam must not further be
dismissed a "Ecochondriacs" or Hypochondriacs," and
furthermore a possible Hg-load must be take into account in the
anamnesis, especially when the patients exhibit the described
symptomatology.
Amalgam is with certainty not the material for the future, the
Tubingen group stress, however they also warn for exaggerated
panic reactions. As in medicine in general, in every single case
one must together with the treating doctor evaluate whether an
amalgam removal is necessary and if yes, how rapidly a removal
should take place.
The relations found, which as stated above, should not be
causally interpreted, however clearly prove that humans will be
exposed to a continuous load of mercury from amalgam fillings.
The filling material amalgam is thus suspected of being able to
cause damage to health,
This should be sufficient for health policy measures and at last
start to end the amalgam era.
Demands by BUND as a consequence of the amalgam study:
- BUND demands that the Minister of Health, Seehofer, immediately
acts on the basis that: Amalgam, as an additional risk factor, does
not belong in the oral cavity.
- The amalgam ban should not only be restricted to pregnant
women and children but should immediately be general for
dentistry.
- The university dental clinics must immediately remove the
technique of amalgam placement from their educational agenda,
as has already happened in renowned dental clinics in
Switzerland.
- Teaching and education on amalgam problems, safer removal
techniques for amalgam filling and on plastic alternatives for
molar teeth.
- Further studies are indicated by the amalgam study. The
Minister of Health Seehofer must not further burden
environmental organizations with the expenses,
- BUND demands that the Minister of Health release funds for
follow-up studies at the Uuniversity of Tubingen.
- After an overdue amalgam ban the costs for alternative materials
must be taken over by the insurance s stem
Dental metal test can be mediated by all pharmacies. BUND can,
in cooperation with the environmental analytical group at
Tubingen, offer under the name SALIVAGAM a dental metal
test. This can be mediated by all pharmacies. In addition to
mercury levels in saliva all other dental metal are analyzed.
Further information in all pharmacies and from
BUND-Umweltlabor, Tel: 0781/9383-21, Fox-11
For answers to scientific matters please contact Dr E Roller, Dr.
HD Wolss, KH Maier, AK Umweltanalytik, Univ. of Tubingen,
Postfach 210352, D-72026 Tubingen, tel 07071/2984802.
Interested journalists can obtain detailed information from
BUND, Dunanstrasse 16. D-79110 Freiburg, Tel:
0761/885955-0, Fax-90
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"The ADA claims that Amalgam has been safely used for 150 years"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Not so - the composition of the alloy has been changed
- most notably in the 1960's with the introduction of "high
copper" amalgams. This excellent abstract explains in detail..
Ulf Bengtsson - On the Instability of Amalgams.
Conventional amalgams are regarded as less favourable because
of their proneness to corrosion and mechanical weakness. An
invention by a Canadian scientist in 1963 marked the introduction
of the modern non-gamma-two amalgams said to overcome these
drawbacks. Now some thirty years later it is obvious that
they also exhibit a drastic reduction in stability. The emission
of mercury vapor - see Figure 2 - is drastically increased and
is combined with the formation of deposits on the surface
after abrasion, see picture above. No scientific article has
been accepted for publication on this striking and highly
visual phenomenon of instability - just a few IADR Abstracts
have been dealing with it.
These new amalgams were marketed for a long time in
opposition to the composition-standard in force. When they
became dominating on the market the standard was rewritten
allowing the use of non-gamma-two amalgams that had already
been sold for more than a decade. Standards for testing the
stability - emissions of toxic substances - of amalgams
are non-existing. One reason for the increased strength
of modern amalgams could be that they contain bronze.
Copper amalgam is currently used in Russia, in Norway until
1994 and in Sweden in the 1980'ies and is regarded as the
most unstable of all amalgams used. Their rate of corrosion
is legendary, in rare cases giving teeth a greenish colour
from corrosion products. Statistics on the use of this
material are lacking and scientific articles are few. It
was predominantly used in children with extensive caries
attacks. In an almost unknown letter from the Scandinavian
Institute of Dental Materials, NIOM the intake of metals
from copper amalgam is estimated. It is concluded that
the intake of mercury - in a worst case scenario - can
be 315 times that from food, see Figure 1. Except Norway
no other of the NIOM-countries or the NIOM board were
informed. Copper amalgams have also been used in Germany.
In the US copper amalgam has been used in an admixture
with conventional amalgam.
Excretion-rates of mercury in subjects with a fair amount
of amalgam fillings exceeds the WHO provisional limit
of total intake by food.
Testing of all types of dental materials including
composites, porcelains, cements and so on must take
place prior to the introduction on the market. Dental
materials - by far the most wide spread implant in
the population - must be subjected to both stability
tests revealing emitted substances and relevant biological
testing.
For the full text & photos for this article, see:-
http://vest.gu.se/~bosse/Mercury/default.html
----------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"The ADA says the recent "nuns" study proves amalgam is safe"
----------------------------------------------------------------
The ADA are not keen to talk about the previous studies that
showed well above average Hg levels in the brains of Alzhiemer
sufferers performed after death.
The "nuns" study on amalgam was small - around 100 subjects.
Hence a tendancy of around 1% or less would go unnoticed anyway.
Yet 1% would be 2 million people in the USA - so much bigger samples
are needed. The group selected may not be satisfactory - commonsense
tells us that nuns probably do not have the lifestyle that
may provoke Amalgam problems - they do not chew gums, drink
excessive sugary or acid foods/soda drinks spend periods in
front of VDU monitors, (all indicated to increase Hg leakage
from amalgams) and so on. They may be unlikely eat junk-food or
have a poor diet - diet and general health will effect the
bodies natural Hg defence mechanisms such as Glutathione.
Since one of the characteristics of mercury poisoning is
aggression and irritability, a group of nuns may be
"self-censoring" in this respect - ie. Hg victims will drop out.
For this reason, surveys must have large samples, monitoring
a population cross-section in such a manner as not to miss out
potential victims. It may be better to target possible object
groups (ie. Alzheimers, CFS/ME, MS..) directly.
It is extremely hard to differentiate between neurological
and psycological symptoms - a recent survey of top neurologists
showed they got it wrong more than 50% of the time. What chance
does a busy dentist/doctor stand?
I personally believe this is why psyciatric disorders seem
to be so prevalent in Western culture - toxicology (not *just*
amalgam, although its probably the biggest single cause) rather
than stress may be at the root of it..
In fact I think the ADA needs to *prove* that serious
amalgam-related-illness conditions run below 0.001%
(near 2,000 cases US wide) - just because amalgam is so widely used.
Proving a 1% tendancy by random sample is very hard - very large
sample sizes are needed - and proving 0.001% is well nigh impossible.
What work I have done with statistics (in computing)
has shown me just how careful a researcher must be in
building his models. The "nuns" study is a classic
example of a badly constructed model.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"So, could Mercury from Amalgam cause Alzheimers Disease?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
The original studies that prompted the "nuns" studies definitely
indicated that mercury could be a cause of Alzheimers. For the
reasons I outlined above, I believe the "nuns" study to be flawed,
and hence this study extracted below (and other similar ones)
stands unrefuted. No other evidence/research stands to refute it.
(NOTE - "Hg" below= Chemical shorthand for Mercury. #1 source of
mercury for humans is Amalgam, as previously discussed)
Authors: Thompson CM; Markesbery WR; Ehmann WD; Mao YX; Vance DE;
Title: Regional brain trace-element studies in Alzheimer's disease.
Address: Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506.
Journal: Neurotoxicology, 9: 1, 1988 Spring, 1-7
Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain trace-element imbalances in the
amygdala, hippocampus and nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM) are
found in most cases to be consistent with those previously reported
in samples derived principally from AD cerebral cortex (Ehmann et
al., 1986). The elevation of mercury in AD nbM, as compared to
age-matched controls, is the largest trace-element imbalance observed
to date in AD brain. In addition to the general confirmation of
imbalances for Cs, Hg, N, Na, P, and Rb noted previously in
cerebral cortex samples, imbalances for Fe, K, Sc, and Zn were
observed in two regions and one region also exhibited imbalances
for both Co and Se. Persistent imbalances for the univalent cations
Na, K, Rb and Cs support arguments for a membrane abnormality in AD.
The data presented here also provide the first comprehensive
simultaneous multi-element determinations in both control and AD nbM.
Wenstrup D; Ehmann WD; Markesbery WR; Trace element imbalances
in isolated subcellular fractions of Alzheimer's disease brains.
Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Brain
Res, 533: 1, 1990 Nov 12, 125-31
Concentrations of 13 trace elements (Ag, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe,
Hg, K, Na, Rb, Sc, Se, Zn) in isolated subcellular fractions (whole
brain, nuclei, mitochondria, microsomes) of temporal lobe from
autopsied Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and normal controls
were determined utilizing instrumental neutron activation analysis.
Comparison of AD and controls revealed elevated Br (whole brain)
and Hg (microsomes) and diminished Rb (whole brain, nuclear
and microsomes), Se (microsomes) and Zn (nuclear) in AD. The
elevated Br and Hg (Mercury) and diminished Rb are consistent with
our previous studies in AD bulk brain specimens. Comparison of
element ratios revealed increased Hg/Se, Hg/Zn and Zn/Se
mass ratios in AD. Se and Zn play a protective role against
Hg toxicity and our data suggest that they are utilized to
detoxify Hg in the AD brain. Overall our studies suggest that
Hg could be an important toxic element in AD. Whether Hg
deposition in AD is a primary or secondary event remains to
be determined.
-----------------NEW DEVELOPMENT------------------
This is dated Dec 1996 - quite recent. Dr Haleys is a biochemist
of world repute - his work is already well known. He is a member
of the University of Kentucky's huge multi-million dollar
long-term research project examining the causes a Alzheimers
Disease - there are probably very few more eminent or knowledgable
in this field. Dr Murray Vimy is also a researcher of repute, and
a former World Health Organisation consultant. The journal from
which the full extract is quoted (FASEB) is a highly regarded
and main-stream scientific medical publication.
The following quote is from The Valley Advocate, December 5, 1996.
"A team of scientists led by Dr. Boyd Haley recently completed a study
exposing six laboratory rats to a typical intake of amalgam mercury
vapor, diluted to account for the size difference between rats and
humans. To the researchers' astonsihment, every rat developed symptoms
and brain tissue damage indistinguishable from that of Alzheimer's
Disease patients. The reseachers then repeated their experiment only
to find the same results. While the jury is still out for human
patients, the leader of the research team had seen enough. Dr.
Bronte's new book The Mercury in Your Mouth: The Truth About 'Silver'
Dental Fillings quotes Dr. Haley's response to the group's findings.
'The results of this experiment are terrifying,' he said. 'I'm getting
the rest of my fillings taken out right now, and I've asked my wife to
have hers replaced too.'"
Thanks to Dagfinn Reiersol for supplying this newspaper quote..
(See his page: http://home.sol.no/reiersol/amalgam.htm)
TITLE: Mercury Vapor Exposure Inhibits Tubulin Binding to
GTP In Rat Brain: A Molecular Lesion Also Present in
Human Alzheimer Brain.
AUTHORS: Lorscheider, FL; Vimy, MJ; Pendergrass, JC; Haley, BE.
SOURCE: FASEB J. 9(4): A-3845. FASEB Annual Meeting, Atlanta,
Georgia, 10th March 1995.
ABSTRACT: Methyl mercury will interact with tubulin causing
disassembly of microtubules that function to maintain
neurite structure. Numerous reports also establish that
mercury vapor (Hgo) is continuously released from "silver"
amalgam tooth fillings into mouth air. In the present
study rats were exposed to Hgo 4 h/day for 0, 2, 7, 14
and 28 days at 250 mcg Hg/m 3 air, a concentration
present in mouth air of some humans with large numbers
of amalgam fillings. Average rat brain Hg concentrations
increased significantly (40-100 fold) with duration of
Hgo exposure. By day 14 of Hgo exposure, photoaffinity
labelling of the b-subunit of the tubulin dimer with
[a32 P]8N3GTP in brain homogenates was decreased 75%, as
seen on analysis of SDS-PAGE autoradiograms.
The identical neurochemical lesion of similar magnitude
is evident in Alzheimer brain homogenates when compared
to human age-matched controls. Since the rate of
tubulin polymerization is dependent upon binding of
tubulin dimers to GTP, we conclude that chronic inhalation
of low-level Hgo can inhibit polymerization of tubulin
essential for formation of microtubules.
BIO-PROBE COMMENT: This study represents the latest
information possibly connecting mercury to Alzheimer's
Disease (AD). The information began some ten years ago
with human autopsy studies conducted at the University of
Kentucky. Three published studies showed high levels
of mercury in AD brains compared to controls; first
in whole brain tissue, then regional levels where AD
damage is predominant, and finally in cellular and
subcellular fractions. Next, other scientists the
University of Kentucky found AD-type damage in rats
fed mercury, while no damage was found in the
aluminum-fed rats. The next step was the discovery of the
AD-type molecular lesion found in rats that were fed
mercuric chloride in drinking water. This latest study
found the AD-type molecular lesion in rats that were
administered mercury vapor in the amounts to which some
humans with large numbers of amalgam fillings are exposed.
see: http://www.bioprobe.com)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"Can Amalgam cause anti-biotic resistant 'superbugs'?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
The following article by Robert Matthews, Science Correspondent,
appeared in The Sunday Telegraph (Main Section) 14 September 1997,
Page 17.
Headline: "Filling and drilling 'breeds superbugs'"
The fashion among dentists for "drilling and filling" with
mercury amalgam in the Seventies may have spawned dangerous
superbugs immune to antibiotics, say leading microbiologists.
They are studying samples taken from thousands of patients to
discover the extent of the problem, and say mercury fillings
may have to be discontinued if the threat is confirmed.
The dental trend for drilling out decayed parts of teeth and
filling them with mercury amalgam reached its peak in the late
Seventies, with more than 32 million fillings being made in
1977.
With the advent of wide spread fluoridation, this has dropped
at least 50 percent. Most concern over fillings has so far
focused on the potential dangers from mercury poisoning, with
some countries banning their use. Now a team led by Professor
Rohn Rowbury of University College, London believes that the
fillings may have helped trigger antibiotic resistance in
bacteria -- widely seen as one of the most serious threats
facing modern medicine.
These so-called superbugs include streptococci, responsible for
bacterial pneumonia and meningitis, some types of mycobacteria,
which causes TB, and staphylococcus, a cause of lethal septic
shock. Such superbugs have become immune to treatment using
many common antibiotics such as penicillin, and doctors fear
it may only be a matter of time before all treatments fail
against them.
The numbers of superbugs is rising, as bacteria pass on their
antibiotic resistance to others. The link with dental fillings
comes from the fact that genes giving bacteria antibiotic
resistance are often on the same part of the bacterial genetic
blueprint as those for resistance to lethal heavy metals --
including mercury.
As a result bacteria that survive the relatively high levels of
mercury in the mouth are also likely to become resistant to
antibiotics. Prof Rowbury said: "If there is an association
between the use of mercury amalgams and antibiotic resistance,
then the implications are enormous."
According to Prof Rowbury, one immediate effect would be that
dentists would have fewer antibiotics capable of fighting
mouth infections. But he said there could be more serious
effects. "Some oral bacteria can have very serious effects,
such as endocarditis, which affects the heart," he said.
"The ingress of resistant bacteria into the gut may also
result in the spread of antibiotic resistance to the
normal gut microflora." So far, only animal studies of
the link between fillings and antibiotic resistance have
been carried out. Theses have, however, confirmed that more
fillings increase the prevalence of antibiotic resistant
bacteria.
Prof Rowbury and colleagues at the Eastman Dental Institute in
London have begun the first human studies. "If an association
between dental amalgam and antibiotic resistance in bacteria
is established, then it may be necessary to prevent or limit
the use of dental amalgam. "We are now studying 6,000 isolates
taken from patients over a wide range of ages whose mercury
levels we know. What we plan to is to see if there is a link
between those levels and both the antibiotic resistance and
virulence of bacteria in the isolates."
Photograph shows infant recieving a filling. Subtitle says:-
"Open wide: microbiologists fear fillings may help trigger
antibiotic resistance in bacteria - seen as one of the most
serious threats facing modern medicine."
(The Sunday Telegraph is a major UK National Paper, with
a readership of 2,400,000)
This is not the first piece of research to indicate this
link. This is an extract from an article by Toxicologist
Dr M Vimy..
" In a recent collaborative paper between three North American
universities, it was demonstrated in a primate model that oral
and intestinal bacteria (eg. streptococci, enterococci,
enterobacteriaceae) exhibit a significant increase in mercury
and antibiotic resistance within two weeks following mercury
filling placement.[39] The mercury resistant bacterial species
exhibited resistance to various antibiotics such as, ampicillin,
tetracyclines, streptomycin, kanamycin, erythromycin, and
chloramphenicol, which they had not demonstrated prior to
placement.. This is the first direct experimental confirmation
of a non-antibiotic factor, mercury, producing antibiotic
resistance. This occurs because in some bacteria mercury-
resistance and antibiotic-resistance are encoded adjacent small
genetic sites within plasmids. [40] When exposed to environmental
mercury, this genetic material is activated to protect the bacteria
from the lethal mercury. The plasmid is also replicated and passed
on to other bacteria, insuring species survival. In so doing, the
antibiotic resistance also spreads to the other bacteria. Antibiotic
resistance is a important issue in medicine today. [41] It has
been estimated that 80% of mercury-resistant bacterial strains
also show an increased resistance to one or more conventional
antibiotics. Thirty percent of all hospitalized patients in North
America receive antibiotic therapy [42] and antibiotics compromise
10% of the total $5.1 billion drug sales in Canada during 1992.
[43] Moreover, ten of the top 20 generic drugs prescribed during
1990 in the U.S.A. were antibiotics. [44] Yet, antibiotics appear
to be losing their clinical potency and stronger antibiotic medications
at increasing dosages are necessary to combat many common infections.[41]"
Bibliography:
39. Summers, A.O., Wireman, J., Vimy, M.J., Lorscheider, F.L., Marshall, B., Levy, S.B., Bennett, S. and Billard, L., Antimicrob. Agents & Chemother., 1993, 37, 825-834.
40. Gilbert, M.P. and Summers, A.O., Plasmid, 1988, 20: 127-136.
41. Cohen, M.L., Science, 1992, 257, 1050-1055.
42. Gilman, H.G., Rall, T.W., Nies, A.S. and Taylor, P. Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacologic Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed., Pergamon Press, Elmsford, New York, 1990, p. 1018.
43. Intercontinental Medical Statistics, IMS, Canada, 1992.
44. Pharmacy Times, April 1991, 58.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"Could Mercury cause Multiple Sclerosis?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
This is a harder and controversial question, but some
evidence indicates that this could be so. An extract below
indicates 498/500 random sampled MS patients had amalgam fillings.
Statistically the rate for normal people of the same age groups would
also be high, in the order of 470/500 - however, even so, 498/500
is statistically significant - despite the documents comments
(although it does NOT mean the all those people had it purely
caused by amalgam - just a raised statistical chance).
Many MS people develop illness before amalgam placement -
but remember, Hg can be transmitted from mother (with amalgams?)
to baby, and also there are other environmental sources of Hg
, and other suspect toxins that may also cause MS..
There are other publications indicating an amalgam/MS link too.
Unfortunately MS victims have been targeted by many people
proclaiming cures, including some who say that simple (and expensive)
amalgam removal ALONE will cure MS - by and large, this is not true,
since removing the amalgam will only have a slow effect on Hg
accumulated in the myelin of the brain - where the "half-life"
of mercury is very long - maybe in the order of decades.
Other supportative therapies are needed, and even then, there is
no guarentee of a cure.
Despite that, the idea does stand up to investigation, and
there is certainly no satisfactory refuting evidence to the
contrary. More research is desperately needed.
---
The dental amalgam issue. A review
Experentia 47(1991), Birkhauser Verlag, CH-4010 Switzerland,
Mats Hanson & Jaro Pleva.
"When the mercury etiology of acrodynia was clarified, the
possibility that MS was an adult form of acrodynia and a
neuroallergic reaction was considered. Baasch recognised
the possibility that amalgam fillings could be the
responsible source of mercury. He concluded that the
amalgam mercury etiology could explain the known facts
about MS. Baasch noted the presence or absence of amalgam
fillings in 500 consecutive MS patients in Zurich. All
but one (or possibly two) had amalgam fillings. However
amalgam fillings are common, so this finding proved nothing.
On the other hand there are other sources of mercury.
Three cases were described by baasch. Two of these had
thier amalgam fillings removed and the patients improved.
The third one showed a rapidly developing disease, starting
a few months after she got her first amalgam fillings at
19 years of age. When 8 years old she had been treated
with mercury for congenital syphilis."
----------------------------------------------------------
Q:"Any other research extracts on this subject"
----------------------------------------------------------
Plenty. Here are a few interesting ones..
Sallsten G, Thoren J, Barregaard L & Schuetz A. (Och Skarping G??) Long-term Use of
Nicotine Chewing Gum and Mercury Exposure from Dental Amalgam Fillings. J Dent Res
75(1):594-598 (1996)
ABSTRACT: "In experimental studies, chewing gum has been shown to increase the release rate of
mercury vapor from dental amalgam fillings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
influence of long-term frequent chewing on mercury levels in plasma and urine. Mercury levels in
plasma (P-Hg) and urine (U-Hg), and urinary cotinine were examined in 18 subjects who regularly
used nicotine chewing gum, and in 19 referents. Age and number of amalgam surfaces were similar
in the two groups. Total mercury concentrations in plasma and urine were determined by means of
cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Urinary cotinine was determined by gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chewers had been using 10 (median) pieces of gum per
day for the past 27 (median) months. P-Hg and U-Hg levels were significantly higher in the chewers
(27 nmol/L and 6.5 nmol/mmol creatinine) than in the referents (4.9 nmol/L and 1.2 nmol/mmol
creatinine). In both groups, significant correlations were found between P-Hg or U-Hg on the one
hand and the number of amalgam surfaces on the other. in the chewers, no correlations were found
between P-Hg or U-Hg and chewing time per day or cotinine in urine. Cotinine in urine increased
with the number of pieces of chewing gum used. The impact of excessive chewing on mercury levels
was considerable."
Osterblad M, Leistevuo J, Leistevuo T, Jarvinen H, Pyy L, Tenovuo J & Huovinen P.
Antimicrobial and Mercury Resistance in Aerobic Gram-Negative Bacilli in Fecal Flora
among Persons with and without Dental Amalgam Fillings. Antimicrobial agents and
chemotherapy 39(11):2499 (1995)
ABSTRACT: "Antimicrobial resistance is more widespread than can be accounted for as being a
consequence of the selection pressure caused by the use of antibiotics alone. In this study, we tested
the hypothesis that a high mercury content in feces might select for mercury-resistant bacteria and
thus for antimicrobial resistance linked to mercury resistance. Three subject groups with different
exposures to dental amalgam fillings were compared. None of the subjects had taken antimicrobial
agents during the three preceding months or longer. The group exposed to dental amalgam (n = 92)
had 13 times more mercury in feces than the group that had never been exposed to amalgam (n =
43) and the group whose amalgam fillings had been removed (n = 56). No significant differences in
either mercury resistance or antibiotic resistance in the fecal aerobic gram-negative flora of these
subject groups were seen. The following antimicrobial resistance frequencies were detected with a
replica plating method: > or = 1% resistance was seen in 40% of the subjects for ampicillin, 14% of
the subjects for cefuroxime, 6% of the subjects for nalidixic acid, 14% of the subjects for
trimethoprim, 19% of the subjects for sulfamethoxazole, and 25% of the subjects for tetracycline.
The amount of mercury in feces derived from amalgam was not selective for any resistance factors
in aerobic gram-negative bacteria, but antimicrobial resistance was widespread even among healthy
subjects with no recent exposure to antibiotics."
Lindqvist B & Mornstad H. Effects of removing amalgam fillings from patients with
diseases affecting the immune system. Med Sci Res 24(5):355-356 (1966)
ABSTRACT: "53 patients with complaints which they attributed to their amalgam fillings, and with
pathological tests indicating abnormality of the immune system, were followed for 1-3 years after the
removal of all, part of, or none of their amalgam fillings. Within the group of 34 individuals who had
all their amalgam fillings replaced, there was a significant number of decreased antibody titres, but
only two had normalised their laboratory tests after 1-3 years. A significant improvement in
subjective symptoms occurred in 20 (59%) of cases. In the group of patients who still had amalgam
fillings, there were no statistically significant changes in the antibody titres. It thus seems that mercury
released from amalgam fillings may initiate or support an ongoing immune disease. However. this
study group was rather heterogeneous, and had received various pharmacological treatments.
Further studies, are, therefore, needed to confirm, or refute, the results."
Title
A comparison of mental health of multiple sclerosis patients with silver/mercury dental fillings
and those with fillings removed.
Author
Siblerud RL
Address
Rocky Mountain Research Institute, Inc., Colorado.
Source
Psychol Rep, 70: 3 Pt 2, 1992 Jun, 1139-51
Abstract
In this study was compared the mental health status of 47 multiple sclerosis patients with
silver/mercury tooth fillings (amalgams) to that of 50 patients with their fillings removed. On
the Beck Depression Inventory the multiple sclerosis subjects with amalgams suffered
significantly more depression while their scores on the State-Trait Anger Expression
Inventory indicated the former group also exhibited significantly more anger. On the SCL-90
Revised, subjects with amalgam fillings had significantly more symptoms of depression,
hostility, psychotism, and were more obsessive-compulsive than the patients with such fillings
removed. On a questionnaire containing 18 mental health symptoms multiple sclerosis
subjects with amalgam fillings reported a history of 43% more symptoms than those without
amalgam fillings over the past 12 months. These data suggested that the poorer mental health
status exhibited by multiple sclerosis subjects with dental amalgam fillings may be associated
with mercury toxicity from the amalgam.
Title
Evidence that mercury from silver dental fillings may be an etiological factor in multiple
sclerosis.
Author
Siblerud RL; Kienholz E
Address
Rocky Mountain Research Institute, Inc., Fort Collins, CO 80524.
Source
Sci Total Environ, 142: 3, 1994 Mar 15, 191-205
Abstract
This paper investigates the hypothesis that mercury from silver dental fillings (amalgam) may
be related to multiple sclerosis (MS). It compares blood findings between MS subjects who
had their amalgams removed to MS subjects with amalgams. MS subjects with amalgams
were found to have significantly lower levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit
compared to MS subjects with amalgam removal. Thyroxine levels were also significantly
lower in the MS amalgam group and they had significantly lower levels of total T
Lymphocytes and T-8 (CD8) suppressor cells. The MS amalgam group had significantly
higher blood urea nitrogen and lower serum IgG. Hair mercury was significantly higher in the
MS subjects compared to the non-MS control group. A health questionnaire found that MS
subjects with amalgams had significantly more (33.7%) exacerbations during the past 12
months compared to the MS volunteers with amalgam removal. The paper also examines
epidemiological correlations between dental caries and MS; as well as how mercury could be
causing the pathological and physiological changes found in multiple sclerosis.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"If this is true, why dont the authorities act?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Good question. Some governments have. Canada, Sweden and
Germany have officially placed strong restrictions/recommendations
on amalgam usage. However for other countries, the problem has
been that the governments have relied on scientific advice from
thier Dental Associations (ADA/BDA/CDA). These associations,
while promoting an image as independant government
bodies, are nothing of the sort - in fact they are wealthy
Dentists trade unions. They have been pro-amalgam for so long
now that they face possibly unlimited liabilities if they
accepted Amalgam causes CFS/ME/MS/AD etc - so, (in the manner
of the tobacco/asbestos industries) they have adopted a vigorous
pro-amalgam stance.
If you think of the ADA/BDA/CDA as powerful and wealthy dental
trade unions rather than lofty goverment scientific bodies, you
will grasp the situation better.
(A LITTLE FACT: the ADA has 2 patents on amalgam.)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"So, is there a conspiracy to cover up the truth?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe - but I think one has to be careful with talk of conspiracy theories,
etc - too often the allegation is used, and it can backfire
on the user.
"Conspiracy" or "cock-up" is the question.
I believe that *systems* are the critical factors here, rather than
the behaviour af any individual. Remember the History - from
day #1, the ADA was set up as a system that represented
people who practiced & profited by placement of mercury
fillings. ([1] See Vimys text, etc). The *system* itself immediately
became & remained one that would only ever accept & promote to
high office those who were "pro-amalgam" - the pressures of the
system would effectively weed out people who had doubts
at an early stage.
Through good fortune the ADA became *the* official dental body
- but it was - and in reality remains - a dental "trade union".
If you remember the earlier posts on phsycology, [2] the pressure
to conform within such a group are very great - any individual
faced with the sort of radical-appearing challenges posed by
"anti-amalgamist" groups would find reassurance just by looking
to his respectable and learned colleagues - who would he trust
- those, or some unknown outsiders?
Remember that no conspiracy theory is needed for this hypothesis
- indeed the individuals by and large may well be intelligent, likable,
law-abiding people - it is just the "religion" of their group that blinds
them to the option of impartial judgement of the new evidence.
Remember also that most members rely on peer-reviewed/filtered
data - they do not have time to study original research themselves.
Everyone who challenges the religion is simply declared a
heritic - even to be persecuted. ie. In thier eyes Huggins is wrong
about Amalgam - they just see someone who is preying
on chronically ill people for financial gain. After all, doesnt he
charge huge fees for his service? His claims of "miracle"
cures must be mere fabrication - just another "snake-oil peddler"..
So, other researchers, dentists and doctors - previously
respected members of the scientific community - found themselves
accused of acting for narrow gain the moment they dared
question the "religion".
I have no doubt that there may also some people within the ADA who
are much more cynical, who may have doubts about the safety
of amalgam & try to act to protect narrow ADA financial/liability/credibility
interests. There are also too many dentists out there who deliberately
perform more amalgam-fillings than necessary, for financial gain.
(For that matter, I dont doubt that there are some who have leapt on the
"anti-amalgam-bandwagon" merely as an opportunity to make money
from ill people. )
There may well even be "conspiracy". But I am not sure you need it
to explain the action of most normal dentists in the ADA.
[1] http://www.vimy-dentistry.com/ (Dr Vimys page)
[2]
Soloman Asch did an experiment in conformity in which he placed three lines
of different lengths next to each other on a piece of paper. There was a
small line, a medium-length line, and a long line. The differences in
length were easily discernable to everyone. Then on another peice of paper
he printed just the medium-length line, and he asked a large group of
subjects, one at a time in isolation from each other, which of the three
lines was this? The perceptual judgement was so obvious and easy that
exactly 100% got the right answer: "It's the middle line". Then he put a
different group of subjects through a contrived experiment where they
stepped into a room full of 9 other people (unbeknownst to the subjects,
all 9 were accomplices working with Asch). The experimenter presented the
same two pages with lines and proceeded to ask everyone, one at a time in
order, which line was it? Our subject was #7 in line, and #1-6 all said,
"Its the shortest line, clearly!" "Yes, the short line" "The short one"
etc. What did our subject say, how did he act publicly? 35% of responses
conformed to the incorrect group answer. Relatively amazing given that the
perceptual judgement was as obvious as seeing an elephant in front of you.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q:"I think I suffer from Amalgam poisoning - what should I do?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Main point - READ UP ON THE SUBJECT! The Internet provides
some really good advice and data - ranging from simple
advice through to technical research articles proving the danger
of Amalgam. Some doctors/advisors know more than others, so it is
VERY important to ascertain advice from more than one source.
Do not be afraid to ask your Doctor hard questions - it is
your life and health that is at stake!
My own UK Amalgam page provides links to other pages and
sources of data - and it is updated regularly, so it is a
good starting point. Leif's FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
page provides another FAQ document - a really comprehensive
and intelligent paper loaded with advice and evidence. Many
of the other pages below provide good practical advice for
sufferers.
Bioprobe supply some good books on the subject - including
"Dental Mercury Detox" - for only $3.95 - this is very good
value for money, packing lots of up to date advice into
70 pages. See below for details.
Here is my collection of ideas, either personal experience, or
other people, or culled from protocols more widely used. Compare
with other ideas, experiment & devise your own regime..
* Bioflavonoids seem to be very helpful indeed.
* Large doses of Vit B-complexes,C,E seem to be good.
* Add a low level of Selenium (50-100ug/day)..
* Other minerals - zinc, calcium, etc. need consideration..
* Experiment with wide range of variants in diet. ie. Experiment with
cutting out gluten, milk-products, raw sugar & sugary foods, live-yeast
containing foods, rapeseed based vegetable oils..
If not sure, start with a range of "basic" lightly cooked vegetables,
and expand out from that.. If vegetarian, consider including some lean
white meat, like turkey/chicken. In the case of mercury poisoning, I beleive
meat can be useful in proving some basic amino-acid and other chemicals
that an impaired liver may find hard to sythesis..
* Drink a *lot* of water - simple, but easy to neglect. Hydration
helps flush the body of toxins, and "oils" the bodys various systems.
* Acidophilus supplements aid the efficiency of digestion.
* Cut out alchohol, tobacco, caffeine, chocolate. Since Glutathione
production (from the liver) is so important for Hg detoxification,
anything that poses unnecessary burden on the liver (ie. alchohol)
is undesirable.
* Mercury-poisoned people have compromised immune systems,
and are less able to deal with more "run-of-the-mill"
toxic substances. So, check your environment for other chemicals
that could be harmful. ie: Aspartame artificial sweeteners,
Carbon Monoxide for improperly burning fires (improve ventilation
or move locations)..
* Keep an eye on food purity - try to eat organic foods if possible..
* Short term use of some anti-depressant drugs at times of crisis
can actually be useful. No, I do *not* mean that ARI is
"in the mind", but that stimulating the production of certain
"feel good" hormones can aid the healing process. But proceed
with caution..
* For similar reasons, try to be as positive as you can - try
to stimulate your brain into producing the "feel-good" chemicals
- the body has various self-repair mechanisms that can even
cope with something as deadly as mercury - but I believe you have
to fire up the "controlling software" side of things to start
things rolling..
* Also try to undertake as much *non-intensive* exersize as you can
manage. The sort of short-burst exersize that really gets the heart
pounding is bad - it can bring on "ME" attacks, set off undesirable
movements of toxins in the brain, etc. However longer periods of
gentle exersize can stimulate various processes that help the
body repair itself, improve immune system functionality, etc..
* The bottom line is - give your body time. Things like hi-dose vitamins
take time to "kick in", and in the case of mercury poisoning, it
can be a long process - but take heart most *do* improve.
Also, let your body tell you what is right & what isnt.
I hope these notes have been of some help to you.
By all means post them on to other people, groups & news
sources - it is very important to at least make people
aware of this subject..
Here is a list of INTERNET resources. My own page provides
links to all the others (& more), but I list the others for
the sake of completeness.
My final word is - dont take my word for it! See my web
page and follow the links to other sites, quoting accumulated
research evidence from the scientific community. Take special
note of Dr Vimys page - he was a W.H.O. consultant & advisor
to the canadian government, a man with an excellent track record.