AUTISM MERCURY EMISSIONS DALLAS PRESS CONFERENCE

From SafeMinds and Autism United:

Texas Study finds Autism Incidence Increased by
Mercury Emissions from Coal Plants and Other Polluters

Lead author from University of Texas to brief media:

WHAT:  Press conference and rally on a newly published study titled “Proximity to point sources of environmental mercury release as a predictor of autism prevalence” appearing in the journal Health & Place (Elsevier).

WHEN:  11 a.m. Central, Wednesday, April 30th

WHERE: United States Courthouse Steps, Dallas, Texas, 1100 Commerce Street

WHO:  Raymond F. Palmer, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

NOTES: Dr. Palmer will discuss findings of the study, which used community autism estimates based on school district enrollment records of autistic children and mercury pollution data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  The study demonstrates increased risk specific to exposure to mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants and other industrial emission sources.

“Based on prior research demonstrating an association between environmental mercury pollution and autism rates, we investigated if proximity to the sources of mercury pollution (power plants and industrial sources) would increase the risk of autism in the community,” Dr. Palmer said.

Parents and children are invited to attend.

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The Coalition for SafeMinds is a private charitable nonprofit organization founded to investigate and raise awareness of the risks to infants and children of exposure to mercury from the environment and medical products, including thimerosal in vaccines. The Coalition of SafeMinds supports research on the potential harmful effects of mercury and thimerosal.

Autism United is an alliance of families and individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders working with professionals and organizations who serve the autism community.

Comments

[Mary Lynn]

I went to the conference/rally. The major media was there but it only showed on ABC at 5pm. It was not repeated locally and I can't find any other air time given to it so far.

[Craig Willoughby]

I'm in the Dallas area, and I'm hoping to get some time away from work to be there.

[Jeanne]

Let's hope the major media outlets pick up on this story. It seems to me like such a significant find, I wonder if mainstream media will agree.