Dangerous mercury levels reported in fish nationwide

[MaxDepth]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-fish04.html

<snippet>

The majority of fish caught in lakes and reservoirs in Illinois and across the nation contain mercury at levels high enough to be harmful to pregnant women and children, according to a report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group that analyzes data from an ongoing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study.

But if your read carefully it is not the EPA releasing this data, but a group called "U.S. Public Interest Research Group." Here is what the EPA says:

EPA spokeswoman Cynthia Bergman said the PIRG's assertions about fish exceeding the EPA's "safe" limit for mercury are misleading and based on their own calculations, not on any limits set by the EPA.

The EPA has set a "reference dose" of methylmercury, or a daily level of exposure over a lifetime deemed to be safe, of 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. Bergman said the PIRG report combined that dose with the American Heart Association's recommendation that adults eat fish twice a week to come up with a "safe" limit of 0.13 parts per million of methylmercury for women of average weight who eat fish twice a week.

Still, it is enough to get depressed about eating local fish.

 

[gururu]

sushi doesn't come from lakes, so I'd worry more about the intestinal parasites

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: gururu
sushi doesn't come from lakes, so I'd worry more about the intestinal parasites

or just go with raw-free sushi

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

yep, and lucky for us, mercury is now less regulated.

 

[Strider63841]

Only applies to wild fish from lakes. Most fish from markets are farm raised and are not affected. PLus unless you are a kid or pregnant, that level of mercury won't do much to ya anyways. (I think)

Sushi rules!!

 

[Kipper]

There have been numerous studies showing elevated levels of heavy metals in fish, regardless of whether they are bottom-feeders or not. Most alarming is the amount in Tuna, which is a staple for many people in many countries.

 

[So]

Excellent!
Eat you fishes now, they're good <under breath>for my wallet</under breath>

Take that small children Mwahahahahahaha!

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Strider63841
Only applies to wild fish from lakes. Most fish from markets are farm raised and are not affected. PLus unless you are a kid or pregnant, that level of mercury won't do much to ya anyways. (I think)

Sushi rules!!

Oh yeah?.

 

[gigapet]

nothings good for you anymore

 

[bandana163]

At least it's not "dangerously high cyanide levels in fish".