Orange City senator offers bill to ban immunizations containing mercury-based preservatives
Posted: Thursday, February 12, 2004
DES MOINES -- In an effort to protect the health of Iowa's children, state Sen. Ken Veenstra, R-Orange City, introduced legislation Wednesday that would impose a statewide ban on immunizations containing mercury or mercury-based preservatives such as thimerosal.
Veenstra, who is chair of the Senate Human Resources Committee, filed his legislation out of concern over a growing body of evidence that suggests a link between childhood vaccines containing mercury-based preservatives and the increased incidence of autism in children.
"This legislation is a prudent step to help those who cannot help themselves," Veenstra said. "Taking these types of vaccines off the shelves is an important step in helping children avoid being put at increased risk for autism."
The number of children who have been diagnosed with autism has risen at a breakneck pace in the United States over the last two decades. During the 1980s, the chance of a child being diagnosed with autism was one in 10,000. Today, that figure is one 150. In Iowa, the rate of autism has increased more than 700 percent since 1992.
"Through continued research and education on this issue, I have come to the conclusion that the use of heavy metal preservatives in vaccines is a major public health issue," said Veenstra. "There are non mercury-based alternatives on the market and we need to be sure that we're using them."
"Through continued dialogue and education, I am hopeful that we can at the very least remove one potential hazard to our children and grandchildren in an otherwise uncertain world," said Veenstra.
The Human Resources Committee will have a hearing on the issue at 3 p.m. Monday in Room 22 of the Statehouse.
Veenstra, who is chair of the Senate Human Resources Committee, filed his legislation out of concern over a growing body of evidence that suggests a link between childhood vaccines containing mercury-based preservatives and the increased incidence of autism in children.
"This legislation is a prudent step to help those who cannot help themselves," Veenstra said. "Taking these types of vaccines off the shelves is an important step in helping children avoid being put at increased risk for autism."
The number of children who have been diagnosed with autism has risen at a breakneck pace in the United States over the last two decades. During the 1980s, the chance of a child being diagnosed with autism was one in 10,000. Today, that figure is one 150. In Iowa, the rate of autism has increased more than 700 percent since 1992.
"Through continued research and education on this issue, I have come to the conclusion that the use of heavy metal preservatives in vaccines is a major public health issue," said Veenstra. "There are non mercury-based alternatives on the market and we need to be sure that we're using them."
"Through continued dialogue and education, I am hopeful that we can at the very least remove one potential hazard to our children and grandchildren in an otherwise uncertain world," said Veenstra.
The Human Resources Committee will have a hearing on the issue at 3 p.m. Monday in Room 22 of the Statehouse.
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