What is in the Vaccines? 269(irregular heart beat), pulmonary edema, tachycardia, and methemoglobine-
mia. Phenoxyethanol is a very common personal care preservative, which is
used as a bactericide. Studies have shown phenoxyethanol to be toxic to the
human body, even in minute doses. Phenoxyethanol affects the nervous sys-
tem, including the brain at moderate doses, the endocrine system, the bladder,
and has also been seen to cause acute pulmonary edema in animals [38].
Polysorbate 80 is a frequently used surfactant in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical
and food industries. The purpose of a surfactant is to reduce the surface tension
and to act as an emulsifier, to increase the solubility between two liquids
that are typically unable to dissolve together [36,39]. In vaccines, polysorbate
80’s purpose is to help disperse all other ingredients of the vaccine equally
throughout the liquid. The use of this chemical generates concerns as it is used
in medications to assist in the delivery of certain drugs or chemotherapeutic
agents across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Human research is limited, but
based on animal research, we are aware of the potential for polysorbate 80
to affect the reproductive system and act as a possible carcinogen. Large
amounts of this chemical can cause abdominal spasms and diarrhea. More
alarming, animal studies have shown polysorbate 80 to cause cardiac abnor-
malities, changes in behavior, and weight loss. Studies by Coors et al. [39] have
shown that polysorbate 80 can also cause severe nonimmunologic anaphy-
lactic reactions.
Glutaraldehyde is a sterilizing agent that is mostly used to disinfect equip-
ment that cannot be heat sterilized. Glutaraldehyde has several applications in
a number of different areas; it is commonly used as a preservative in cosmetics,
a cold sterilant in the healthcare industry, a tissue fixative in histology and
pathology laboratories, a hardening agent in the development of X‐rays, and
also it is used in embalming solutions, to name just a few uses. The CDC notes
this chemical to be harmful through inhalation and skin contact; however, no
research has yet been completed evaluating the effect intravenously. Possible
side effects include throat and lung irritation, asthma and difficulty breathing,
contact and/or allergic dermatitis, nasal irritation, sneezing, burning eyes, and
conjunctivitis [40–43].
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a commonly used food spice, is
believed to cause allergic reactions such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, skin
rash, lethargy, numbness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and excessive flushing.
There is no definitive research to support this theory, but it has been acknowl-
edged that a small percentage of people may experience these allergic reactions
after consuming products which contain MSG [44–46].
Other components included in vaccines include tributyl phosphate, antibiotics,
and genetically modified DNA and RNA. Tributyl phosphate is a liquid typi-
cally used as a plasticizer for cellulose esters, lacquers, plastics, vinyl resins and
also in fire‐resistant aircraft hydraulic fluid [47]. The inclusion of antibiotics