You will have probably already heard of this study but in case you haven’t, the abstract of this study is this (in a nutshell, attempting to show there is no link between mercury and autism);

Though causes of autism are considered largely genetic, considerable concern remains that exposure to Rh immune globulin (RhIg), which until 2001 in the United States contained the preservative thimerosal, can cause autism. To determine whether mothers of children with autism are more likely to be Rh negative (Rh(-)) or to have received RhIg preserved with thimerosal, which is 49.6% ethyl mercury, we surveyed families of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ascertained through a University-based autism clinic considered free of ascertainment biases related to type of autism or severity.

Between 2004 and 2006, 305 mothers of 321 children with an ASD agreed to participate in a telephone interview. Analysis of complete records including the blood group status and RhIg exposure of 214 families showed that Rh(-) status is no higher in mothers of children with autism than in the general population, exposure to antepartum RhIg, preserved with thimerosal is no higher for children with autism and pregnancies are no more likely to be Rh incompatible.

This was also true for autism subgroups defined by behavioral phenotype, gender, IQ, regressive onset, head circumference, dysmorphology, birth status, essential, or complex phenotype. These findings support the consensus that exposure to ethylmercury in thimerosal is not the cause of the increased prevalence of autism. These data are important not only for parents in this country but also for the international health community where thimerosal continues to be used to preserve multi-dose vials which in turn makes vaccines affordable.

And over at LogiPundit you will find some very perceptive comments on this study which sure makes us question the purpose and nature of the study;

1) Vaccinations were given to mothers pre-partum. The concentration of thimerosal to a fetus in a vaccination given to a 135 lb. woman is going to be less than that given to a post-partum baby. I’d have to read the article and wrap my head around the literature to determine the average amount of thimerosal exposure in each case. Most likely, it is a much lower exposure in the prenatal Rh vaccination.

2) Multiple rounds of multi-dose vials exceeded FDA approved levels of mercury exposure. Period. The authors are comparing apples to oranges here. Any one pre-2001 vaccination did not exceed FDA levels of mercury exposure, but the combination of multiple vaccinations in a short span did exceed FDA approved levels. This report is not the nail in the coffin of the thimerosal hypothesis that the authors suggest.

3) Johnson and Johnson funded the study. Good science is often funded by private companies, but it should be noted that although the original report cites this funding, the news media do not. I love Johnson and Johnson, and most all pharm companies. Really, they do great work. But these possible conflicts of interest must be highlighted in every study.