Thiomersal

Thiomersal is an organomercury compound used as an antiseptic and as a preservative in some vaccines and pharmaceutical products. It releases ethylmercury as it breaks down.

Vaccine preservative: A substance added to vaccines to prevent microbial contamination, especially in multidose containers. Thiomersal is one preservative used to protect some multidose vaccine formulations.
Ethylmercury: An organomercury species containing an ethyl group bonded to mercury. Thiomersal decomposes to release ethylmercury-containing products.
Morris Kharasch: An American chemist known for research on organic reaction mechanisms and organosulfur chemistry. Kharasch and colleagues developed thiomersal in the early twentieth century.
Methylmercury: An organomercury compound that accumulates in aquatic food chains and can harm the nervous system. It is often confused with ethylmercury, though the two differ in exposure and clearance.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The United States federal public health agency responsible for disease prevention and health guidance. The CDC has reviewed thiomersal evidence and explains its use in vaccines.
Multidose vaccine vial: A vaccine container designed to provide multiple doses through repeated withdrawals. Thiomersal has helped limit contamination risks after repeated vial access.
Thiosalicylate: A sulfur-containing anion derived from salicylic acid by replacing an oxygen with sulfur. The thiosalicylate portion is the other component of thiomersal's molecular structure.
Eli Lilly and Company: An American pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 by Eli Lilly. The company introduced thiomersal for medical use under the trade name Merthiolate.
Elemental mercury: Mercury in its metallic form, a liquid at ordinary room temperature. Elemental mercury has different exposure routes and toxicology from thiomersal's bonded mercury.
Institute of Medicine vaccine safety reviews: Expert assessments commissioned by the US National Academies on vaccine safety questions. These reviews examined evidence concerning thiomersal and neurodevelopmental disorders.

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