SafeMind's Responds to Newsweek Article
“The Boy Crisis – The Trouble With Boys” (Newsweek 1/23/06) reports on the alarming increase of boys across our nation in every demographic group falling behind. The question is whether the deficit in learning among boys is a new phenomenon and, if so, why?
Yes, “brain wiring,” to use your metaphor, may be different in boys, but why is the difference more pronounced now than in the past? Something has changed in the last twenty years – we strongly suggest that it is not the law, the cultural milieu nor testosterone levels that account for the vast majority of change. Rather, it is our physical environment that has changed which in turn, has changed our biochemistry, physiology and physical, as well as mental, health.
Mounting evidence strongly implicates mercury exposure as playing a role in the increasing rates of learning disabilities found today in our children. Exposure to mercury is very prevalent in our environment and recent research has shown that infants and children are vulnerable to exposure levels far lower than heretofore believed. In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that approximately 1 in every 6 women of childbearing age had mercury levels in their bodies that were high enough to cause adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in their unborn children.
Studies into the toxicity of mercury have consistently reported that at low exposure levels, boys are much more susceptible to mercury’s toxic effects on brain development than are girls. In addition, researchers recently reported that for every 1,000 pounds of mercury released into the environment, there was a 43% increase in the number of children receiving special education services.
Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education, is absolutely correct in her assessment of the fact that our boys are falling behind and that this situation "has profound implications for the economy, society, families and democracy." However, rather than look to sociology, psychology, education or law for the answer to the etiology of the increased differences between boys and girls, we must focus with urgency, and with concerted scientific research, on the physiological damage mercury has wrought disproportionately on boys. Ultimately, we must work aggressively to decrease exposure to mercury, whether it is in the air we breathe, the food we eat or the flu vaccine prescribed by our doctor.
- Robert J. Krakow, President, A-CHAMP (Advocates for Children Affected by Mercury Poisoning, Inc.)
- Lyn Redwood RN, MSN, President of SafeMinds (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury Induced Neurological Disorders)
