James RickardMercury in our fish
November 26th 2007 02:04
Despite my own affinity for the many kinds of fish that can grace one’s palette, I fall short of advocating fish with every meal. Aside from leaving out other nutrients, two dangerous elements can be found in fish—lead, which we already discussed, and mercury.
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that exists at low levels in most of nature. Problems arise when the levels increase because mercury does not break down and disappear like other pollutants.
It’s difficult, if not impossible, to escape mercury all together. We absorb small amounts of mercury from both natural and man-made sources. These can include paper processing, mining, burning of garbage, dental fillings, or pollution. While it is acknowledged that extreme amounts of mercury can create hot spots of pollution, it is the emission of mercury vapors and particles that vex toxicologists because mercury can be transported over large distances by wind.
Fish enter the picture because mercury can enter bodies of water through rain or surface runoff. In fact, it’s estimated that about three times more mercury is raining down today than before the Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century!
Mercury targets the nervous system and kidneys. Young children, infants, and developing fetuses are at the highest risk because their nervous systems are still developing. Further, nursing infants can get it from their mother’s milk. This exposure can lead to irreversible neurological problems in young children but, as they get older, the risks associated with mercury exposure decreases. Adulthood provides little escape from the affects of mercury. Symptoms of overexposure include numbness of the fingers, toes, or lips, fatigue, weakness, blurred vision or loss of coordination.
Since the aforementioned “hot spots” of pollution exist, it’s nearly impossible to say exactly what types of fish should be avoided. It’s safe to say that long lived predatory species have higher levels of mercury that non-predators. Safe guide lines are to be wary of shark, sword fish, king mackerel, tuna, and orange roughy. But, all is not lost if your favorites are among those named. Studies have declared that it’s safe to consume 12 ounces of fish per week. Generally speaking, typical serving sizes vary from 3 to 6 ounces.
The key here is to vary your consumption of fish. Since a single week’s consumption does little to change mercury levels in the body, there is little harm in eating more than 12 ounces in one week providing it is not done on a regular basis. What is important is to average an intake of 12 ounces per week!
Small species, those with short lives, or farm raised fish are safer to eat. Commercial fishing areas are usually surveyed and closed to such actions or restricted as to catching and marketing fish from those areas.
As for recreational fishing, that is a little tougher to call. It is normally the responsibility of state or municipal governments to monitor and publicize consumption guidelines. At that point, the responsibility lies with the individual to learn if the fish he catches is safe to eat. It’s obvious that one of the best ways to reduce mercury exposure is to moderate or reduce consumption of certain fish. Extra vigilance is required if you are a female of child bearing age or the mother of young children.
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
*Image from morguefile.com
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
isn't it sad, that we have to regulate the amount of fish we eat, because it will be toxic to our bodies! Why our governments are not forcing industry to clean up their act is another problem. They say, it will make everything cost too much. HUH?
Why let them get away with that? It should cost THEM and their shareholders, and NOT cost us a cent. All these years they have reaped the financial rewards of poisoning our planet without redress, now it's time for them to pay I say!
cheers
fog
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
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And the worst part is that it doesn't matter where you live, Canada, the U.S., Europe, Australia--you find the limits everywhere!
Comment by tlcorbin-raginravensview
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
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