Mercury poisoning and heavy metals contamination makes eating fish a high-risk meal

A TBYIL guest article by JB Bardot

(The Best Years in Life) Now that eating more fish is encouraged as a healthy protein source laden with desirable omega-3 fatty acids, people must be more concerned than ever with contamination from hydrocarbons, noxious chemicals, radiation and heavy metals poisoning from mercury, cadmium and arsenic. Scientists say that although hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico are carcinogenic, they do eventually break down over time, allowing for the dissolution of contaminants. This does not mean those fish are safe to eat, but at least there is hope. However, mercury and other heavy metals in fish may remain in the food chain indefinitely, with no one knowing how long it will take for those fish to be really safe to eat.

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is considered one of the most dangerous poisons on earth. It's been found to contaminate many inland waterways in the US, to some degree, reports Scientific American and The U.S. Geological Survey. Findings of a study were reported in August 2009 after 291 rivers and streams were tested between 1998 to 2005. The study found 75% of all fish in these streams to have detectable amounts of mercury, and 25% have dangerous levels above what is considered safe for human consumption.

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