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MERCURY CONTENT IN OUR FISH ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

The recent devastation wrought upon our fellow citizens from Hurricane Katrina has brought many health issues to the forefront. There are many health problems facing the victims of Katrina, maybe none will be as long lasting as what will become of the huge and plentiful seafood industry. The toxic waste that has now deposited in the waters off Louisiana and Mississippi is a horrible and ecological disaster similar to the Exxon Valdez accident in Alaska. Will this once abundant marine life recover? Will those natural marshes ever return? Exxon Valdez was an oil spill. Katrina was a 150 mile blender action nightmare that mixed and spread toxic chemicals from the surrounding petroleum and natural gas industries for miles.

This is why I decided to revisit a long and mostly ignored issue of, “MERCURY CONTENT IN OUR FISH.

Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. However, the Government claims that the risk for most people should not be a concern. For one thing, fish and shellfish do not all carry the same levels of mercury. I see many fish on restaurant menus that are in fact on the EPA’s list of do not eat if you’re pregnant, nursing or a young child.

Fish and its rich Omega-3 content includes high levels of calcium and protein such as those found in salmon and sardines and are an important part of a diet.  However, I can produce plenty of respected medical professionals who clearly state, if you want to live a disease free life, don’t eat any animal food, not even a fish broth.

So what is one to do? Well, I will try to share with you in a brief outline a few very important facts.

For starters, do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tile Fish. These four fish are highly toxic. Do not eat these fish, ever<.p<

A huge amount of confusion has existed concerning Tuna. Light Tuna, often found in the canned version offers low mercury content. This according to the FDA is well below acceptable levels, providing you eat this fish no more than once maybe twice a month. Young children can eat this fish no more than once a month. A more common Tuna in a can that is also served up everywhere in places like delis and restaurants is White Albacore Tuna. This Tuna should be avoided or certainly eaten infrequently. It has a higher mercury content than Light Tuna and is also higher in calories than Light Tuna

Any serving of fish should not be larger than 6 oz. or the size of your fist. For a lot of us, that is almost inconceivable. We Americans like our food in half pound and pound servings. Portions are and have been out of control for us and so has our waist line.

1.      WHAT IS MERCURY AND METHYLMERCURY?
Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and can also be released into the air through industrial pollution. Mercury falls from the air, accumulates in streams and oceans and is turned into Methylmercury in the water. Fish absorb the Methylmercury as they feed in these waters and begin building up in their bodies. Mercury levels build up more in some types of fish and shellfish than others depending on what the fish eat.  This is why levels may vary. Any level of mercury may be harmful to your unborn baby and young child.
 

2.   I’M A WOMAN WHO COULD HAVE CHILDREN BUT I’M NOT PREGNANT – SO WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT METHYLMERCURY?
 
If you regularly eat types of fish that are high in Methylmercury, it can accumulate in your blood stream over time. Methylmercury is removed from the body naturally, but it may take over a year for the levels to drop significantly. Thus, it may be present in a woman even before she becomes pregnant. This is the reason why women who are trying to become pregnant should also avoid eating certain types of fish.
 

3.   IS THERE METHYLMERCURY IN ALL FISH AND SHELL FISH?
 
Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of Methylmercury. Large fish such as Swordfish, Shark, King Mackerel and Tile Fish pose the greatest risk. They live longer, have more time to accumulate the Methylmercury, and thus have the highest levels. Other types of fish and shellfish, however, may be eaten in the amounts recommended by the FDA and EPA.

4.   I DON’T SEE FISH I EAT IN THE ADVISORY. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
 
If you want more information about the levels in the various types of fish you eat, see the FDA Food Safety web site or the EPA Fish Advisory web site.

5.   WHAT ABOUT FISH STICKS AND FAST FOOD SANDWICHES?
 
Fish sticks and “fast food” sandwiches are commonly made from fish that are low in mercury. The mercury level becomes less of an issue when the real issue is the actual food processing and frying. Don’t eat this type of fish for many reasons.

6.   THE ADVICE ABOUT CANNED TUNA IS IN THE ADVISORY, BUT WHAT’S THE ADVICE ABOUT TUNA STEAKS?
 
Tuna steak generally contains higher levels of mercury than canned light tuna; you may eat up to 6 oz. (one average meal) of tuna steak per month.

7.   WHAT IF I EAT MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF FISH AND SHELLFISH IN A MONTH?
 
One month's consumption of fish does not change the level of Methylmercury in the body. If you eat a lot of fish one month, you can cut back for the next month or two. Just make sure you eat only the average recommended amount per month.

8.   where do i get information about the safety of fish caught recreationally by family or friends?
Before you go fishing, check your local fishing regulations booklet for information about recreationally caught fish. You can also contact your local health department for information about local advisories. Local advisories will give you information on fish and shellfish caught in your local waters that may have higher or much lower than average levels of mercury. This depends on the levels of mercury in the water in which the fish are caught.

For further information about the risks of mercury in fish and shellfish call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's food information line toll-free at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or visit FDA’s food safety website.

For further information about the safety of locally caught fish and shellfish, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Fish Advisory web site or contact your State or Local Health Department. For information on EPA's actions to control mercury, visit EPA's mercury web site.

Fish and Shellfish With Highest Levels of Mercury
SPECIES	MERCURY CONCENTRATION (PPM)				NO. OF SAMPLES	SOURCE OF DATA
	MEAN	MEDIAN	MIN	MAX
MACKERAL KING	0.73	NA	O.23	1.67	213	GULF OF MEXICO
SHARK	0.99	0.83	ND	4.54	351	FDA SURVEY
SWORDFISH	0.97	0.86	0.10	3.22	605	FDA  SURVEY
TILEFISH (Gulf of Mexico)	1.45	NA	0.65	3.73	60	NMFS REPORT

Fish and Shellfish With Lower Levels of Mercury
SPECIES	MERCURY CONCENTRATION (PPM)				NO. OF SAMPLES	SOURCE OF DATA
	MEAN	MEDIAN	MIN	MAX
ANCHOVIES	0.04	NA	ND	0.34	40	NMFS REPORT 1978
BUTTERFISH	0.06	NA	ND	0.36	89	NMFS REPORT 1978
CATFISH	0.05	ND	ND	0.31	22	FDA SURVEY 1990-02
CLAMS	ND	ND	ND	ND	6	FDA SURVEY 1990-02
COD	0.11	0.10	ND	0.42	20	FDA SURVEY 1990-03
CRAB 3	0.06	ND	ND	0.61	59	FDA SURVEY 1990-02
CRAWFISH	0.03	0.03	ND	0.05	21	FDA SURVEY 2002-03
CROAKER (Atlantic)	0.05	0.05	0.01	0.10	21	FDA SURVEY 1990-03
FLATFISH 2	0.05	0.04	ND	0.18	22	FDA SURVEY 1990-02
HADDOCK	0.03	0.04	ND	0.04	4	FDA SURVEY 1990-02
HAKE	0.01	ND	ND	0.05	9	FDA SURVEY 1990-02
HERRING	0.04

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