Dean G. Skelos > SENATOR SKELOS JOINS LAWMAKERS TO HIGHLIGHT NEW STATE LAW BANNING MERCURY FROM VACCINES GIVEN TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER THREE

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

New York State Senator
Dean G. Skelos	9th Senate District

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SENATOR SKELOS JOINS LAWMAKERS TO HIGHLIGHT NEW STATE LAW BANNING MERCURY FROM VACCINES GIVEN TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNDER THREE

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, joined by members of the Senate Majority Conference, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, and officials with Autism United held a news conference in Old Bethpage, NY today to highlight a new state law prohibiting the use of mercury in vaccines administered to pregnant women and children under three.

The law, which took effect on July 1^st, was passed in response to public concerns regarding the use of mercury in vaccines leading to the development of autism spectrum disorders.

“Working with the State Health Department, it’s important that we get the word out so health professionals can comply with the law,” said Senator Skelos. “I’d like to thank my colleagues in State government, and the advocates with Autism United for supporting this legislation and working with us to do everything possible to protect the health of New Yorkers.”

"Mercury is a known neurotoxin, and we simply should not be injecting it into our children," said Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D, Long Beach). "While many in the scientific community are reluctant to make a link between mercury and neurodevelopment disorders, there is little doubt that mercury exposure is potentially damaging to the brain, especially in fetuses and very young children."

“The incidence of autism has risen dramatically in the past 15 years,” said Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset). “As more cases are uncovered, we have a responsibility as a State to take any and all steps necessary to prevent this disorder from impacting as many New Yorkers as possible. Through financial support of research, evaluation of how we administer treatment and the removal of known indicators such as mercury, we can be a national leader in the fight against autism. Majority Leader Skelos should be commended for his leadership and commitment to such a worthy cause.”

“This new law is a proactive approach towards protecting the health of young children, and I commend Senator Skelos and Assemblyman Weisenberg for their leadership in bringing this issue to the forefront,” said Senator Charles Fuschillo (R, Merrick).

"Mercury has no place in babies' bodies,” said John Gilmore, Executive Director of Autism United. “And New York is truly fortunate to have leaders like Senator Skelos and Assemblyman Weisenberg who saw a commonsense way to protect our children and exercised the leadership to see it through."

The original bill (S.2707-C, A.5543-C), sponsored by Senator Skelos and Assemblyman Weisenberg, passed in June of 2005. It was signed by then Governor George Pataki on August 30^thof that same year.

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