Mercury Seafood Danger
Read a range of expert opinions and get Babble's take.
by the Babble Staff
December 7, 2006
Fish and Seafood Mercury Dangers
THE BABBLE TAKE
Mercury ends up in waterways because of industrial pollution, and the metal accumulates in certain fish. Since we are at the top of the foodchain, if we eat these fish the mercury eventually ends up in us. Mercury can damage the brain and nervous system and from conception and through childhood, the developing brain is very absorbent and hence highly vulnerable to toxins. Fetal and infant mercury exposure can lead to brain damage and a host of other disorders. Some even think increased exposure to mercury may be to blame for the rise in autism. One new study by the Center for Disease Control estimates that one in ten women have mercury levels in their blood that are high enough to potentially damage a fetus. Mercury levels can be reversed through reduced intake, but this may take a few months, so women who are considering pregnancy may want to go off mercury-rich fish for a while. On the other hand, not all fish contain dangerous levels of mercury and fish does contain essential nutrients like protein and omega 3 fatty acids. Doctors feel that, on balance, the right type of fish in reasonable amounts is beneficial for pregnant women and growing children.
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National Resources Defense Council
"Eating fish contaminated with mercury, a poison that interferes with the brain and nervous system, can cause serious health problems, especially for children and pregnant women.
The following pages offer information on mercury's effects and its sources, tips for eating fish more safely and action opportunities you can take right now to reduce the threat from this hazardous pollution." ...read the full article
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Environmental Protection Agency
"Women and young children in particular should include fish or shellfish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. [...] Some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system. [...] Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury."...read the full article
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Children's Health Environmental Coalition
"Buy your fish from someone to whom you can ask questions. Ask where the fish came from, when it generally is in season, if it was farmed or is wild. If you eat fish that you or someone else has caught, ALWAYS check if there is an advisory against eating the seafood. Contact your state department of health or check our state-by-state list of fish advisory links." ...read the full article
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Dr. Greene
"The National Academy of Sciences issued a 1999 report estimating that 60,000 children are born in the US each year with neurologic problems caused by mercury exposure in the uterus. Although most fish contain trace amounts of mercury, the benefits of most seafood outweigh the risks."...read the full article
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Dr. Sears
"Recently the FDA revealed that shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and tuna fish contain higher levels of mercury and other harmful metals than do other fish. This is because these fish tend to live a long time before they are caught, thus allowing more pollutants to get into their tissues. These pollutants may be harmful to a developing fetus." ...read the full article
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