Neurotoxins and you :(
Neurotoxins such as methylmercury accumulate in the bloodstream as they are ingested. Over time, and with continued exposure, the aggregate effects can impair cognitive development, motor skills, and sensory capabilities (Journal of Environmental Health, 2004). Children under the age of six, pregnant women, and people with thyroid or immune system problems are considered the "high risk" population.
- The primary source of methylmercury accumulation in humans is through ingesting contaminated fish (Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine, 2007).
Oregon Fish Contaminant Advisory
Oregon Environmental Council's three recommendations to follow in order to receive the nutritional benefits of fish and shellfish without risk of over exposure to Mercury
- Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
- Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
- Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
- Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
- Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.
http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/calculator/calc.asP
This website helps determine the amount of mercury in your current diet, based on the amount of fish one eats. at 0.1 micrograms, or .0000001 grams, the epa considers a "safe" amount of mercury for human intake. however, any mercury intake is not safe, even at these very low CONCENTRATIONS, Scientists are still unsure of the longterm affects of mercury exposure (NRDC, 2014).
As a helpful reminder when shopping and dining out, print out this wallet card provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC, 2006). Stay healthy and informed about the dangers of mercury poisoning!