MERCURY CONTAMINATION OF SEAFOOD
Mercury contamination of seafood is a persistent public health threat
that poses a significant risk to children and women of child-bearing
age. While some mercury is naturally occurring in the environment, activities
such as the burning of coal for power generation and industrial processes
such as battery manufacturing have redistributed the substance and created
mercury compounds that are toxic even at extremely low levels of exposure.
The U.S.
Food & Drug Administration warns pregnant women, children and
women who might become pregnant to avoid eating swordfish,
shark, tilefish and king mackerel and reduce their intake of tuna because
of the high methylmercury levels these species contain.
The longline fishing fleets that target swordfish and tuna are also catching
and killing endangered sea turtles and many other marine species thereby profoundly
upsetting the ecological balance of the world's oceans.
Out
of Control and Close to Home: Mercury Pollution From Power Plants
Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses a major public
health threat. Because mercury can interfere with development, fetuses
and children are most at risk. Mercury pollution from electric utilities
remains completely unregulated. While other industries have achieved
considerable reductions in mercury emissions, mercury pollution from
electric utilities is predicted to increase. Reducing power plant pollution
is critical to lowering local mercury hot spots and avoiding the dangerous
contamination of fish, wildlife and people.
Mercury Resources:
Mercury Calculator: http://www.gotmercury.org/
Oceans
Alive: Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
Environmental
Working Group: Mercury in Seafood
Sea
Turtle Restoration Project Fact Sheet: Mercury Dangers: Mercury, Seafood,
Sea Turtles & You
Mercury Policy Project
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mercury web site
U.S.
Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: What
You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
Dioxin, PCBs, & Pesticides in Fish and Shellfish:
Dioxins in Fish and Shellfish
PCBs in Fish and Shellfish
Pesticides in Fish and Shellfish
Seafood Sustainability:
Oceans
Alive: Best and Worst Seafood Choices
Monterey
Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
Monterey
Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: Troubled Waters