TweetDoctors Warn Of Mercury Levels In Fish
Department Of Health Sets Safe Levels

POSTED: 12:44 p.m. EST November 19, 2003
UPDATED: 12:59 p.m. EST November 19, 2003

BOSTON -- You hear it all the time -- eat more fish since a couple of servings a week could help protect against heart disease and cancer.

NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported that mercury-contaminated fish poses a risk. So, how safe is the fish you feed your family?

NewsCenter 5 traveled the state, buying fish from Cambridge, Gloucester, Lawrence, Framingham and New Bedford. Our catch was swordfish and tuna steaks -- fish more at risk for mercury contamination due to size and age. The fish looks and smells fresh, but specialized laboratory testing reveals what our eyes cannot see -- methylmercury -- a potent neurotoxin present in every steak.

"Mercury, and particularly methylmercury, affects the brain and the nervous system. And now more recently, there's evidence coming out that mercury may affect heart and cardiovascular health in adults," Boston University Public Health Dr. Roberta White said.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, it's safe to eat fish with mercury levels under 0.5 parts per 1 million. Four of 10 randomly tested fish were either at or above that level. One tuna steak was as high as 0.8.

"You know my first reaction when I saw this, was more of a reality check for me," Massachusetts Department of Public Health spokeswoman Suzanne Condon said.

Condon said that it was validation for issuing a mercury advisory in Massachusetts two years ago, warning kids under 12 and women -- pregnant, nursing or in child bearing years -- to avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish and tuna steak.

"The real danger here is to the developing fetus, the developing child," Condon said.

"If you get enough mercury, you can have brain effects at any age," White said.

At 18, Mel Pforr couldn't get enough canned tuna.

"I didn't feel right almost if I didn't eat my can of tuna fish. I was eating a can a day at least. At one point, I was up to a can and a half a day," Pforr said.

Then his behavior changed and grades plummeted. Blood and urine tests uncovered a high mercury level -- almost four times what the state considers safe.

"It was right then I said there's my answer I'd been looking for two years for some sort of an answer to the behavioral differences," Pforr's mother, Judy, said.

"I think it was mercury poisoning," Mel Pforr said.

Doctors at Children's Hospital agreed, but the fishing industry calls that speculation.

"There has never been a documented case of mercury poisoning from commercial fish in the United States," Mike Gorton Sr., chairman and CEO of Slade Gorton, said.

Gorton said that he too has a high mercury level, but isn't concerned.

"The benefits of eating seafood far outweigh any risks particularly because of the omega three fatty acids and the low fat protein," Gorton said.

Slade Gorton sticks by the FDA's safe level of 1 part mercury per million, which all of NeweCenter 5's samples tested below. The best advice is to eat certain fish in moderation. Unless, according to White, you're pregnant.

"If you're worried about your child's brain development, you know, I think you would err on the side of caution," White said.

That doesn't mean giving up fish. Experts say that would be a greater health risk than low doses of mercury. You should try to eat two weekly servings. Salmon, sole, tilapia, cod, pollack, and most shellfish are all considered safe.
Copyright 2003 by TheBostonChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

TweetHmmm. I just read an article in Mens Health stating that the Mercury that is in fish (tuna) isn't as harmful as regular Mercury. -crombie09

Here it is:

You may have heard that some of the best-tasting types of fish--such as swordfish and tuna--can be bad for you if eaten too frequently. This is because their flesh contains high levels of mercury, picked up during a lifetime of swimming in dirty, polluted waters. Fortunately, Stanford researchers found that eating tuna and swordfish is much less dangerous than previously thought. "The fish do contain mercury, but it's in a safer, much less toxic form," says Graham George, Ph.D., the study author. Unless you eat swordfish or tuna at every meal, you don't have to worry about mercury poisoning, he says.

TweetYeah, I just read a similar article in a mag. There has been cases where tuna consumption has been linked to the typical mercury symptoms.

I still believe that caution should be used. I originally posted this in reference to a posted diet where the person wanted to eat a couple cans a day.

TweetI think I posted something about mercury poisening from fish in the woman's forum a year or so ago.. because it's not just tuna.
But, as you mentioned SlightlyEnhanced, caution should be used.
I think the safe level of consumption is 12 ounces a week, for a normal sized person {weight wise}
Pregnant women should avoid the white albecore tuna & swordfish altogether.. I don't care if the FDA is claiming there's a safe level.

Tweetps.

Local fresh water fish have even a HIGHER level of mercury than tuna..