Numerous studies have shown a correlation between mercury exposure and infertility.1 A number of researchers believe that many cases of infertility with no apparent cause are due to toxic exposure... mercury being one of the culprits.
The most common sources of mercury exposure are seafood and dental fillings. Some of the infertility studies showed a direct correlation between mercury levels and seafood consumption.2
Other common sources of mercury exposure include:
- Preparation H
- Non-organic vegetables contaminated with sprays (especially carrots and lettuce)
- Hair Dyes
- Merthiolate
- Contact Lens Solutions
- Mercurochrome
- Laxatives
- Calomine Lotion
- Toilet paper made from recycled paper
- Vaginal Gels, especially contraceptives
- Mascara
- Certain Perfumes
- Afrin Nasal Spray
- Certain injectibel B vitamins contain Phenyl Mercuric Acetate (PMA) as a preservative. Injectibles are available without preservatives from compounding pharmacies
- Fungicides for lawns, shrubs and trees
- Latex paint solvents and fabric softeners
- Wood preservatives and adhesives
- Air conditioner filters
- Floor waxes
- Watch for the prefix or Suffic, "Mer", listed in the ingredients
(information taken from Medical Nutrition from Marz, by Russell Marz, ND, M.Ac.OM)
1. See, e.g., Infertility, blood mercury concentrations and dietary seafood consumption: a case-control study, BJOG. 2002 Oct;109(10):1121-5; Effects of inorganic mercury on reproductive performance of mice.Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Apr;42(4):571-7; The effect of heavy metals on the in vitro interaction between human sperm and cervical mucus, Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1992 Sep 11;117(37):1383-9
2. BJOG. 2002 Oct;109(10):1121-5
