Raymond's Message Board / Blog - The Level of Mercury in the Fish We Eat


Name: Raymond T. Kaya
Date/Time: 2006-06-25 at 06:47:53 HST
Subject: The Level of Mercury in the Fish We Eat
Times Read: [296] since 2008 April 12
Body:

Should we be concerned about the level of mercury in the fish we eat?

Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury (methylmercury).

The FDA and EPA are advising "women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury."

Fish and Shellfish With Highest Levels of Mercury:
PPMSPECIES
1.450Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico)
0.988Shark
0.976Swordfish
0.730King mackerel

Fish and Shellfish With Intermediate Levels of Mercury:
PPMSPECIESAKA
0.639Tuna (fresh/frozen, bigeye)Ahi
0.485Marlin
0.357Tuna (fresh/frozen, albacore)Tombo
0.353Tuna (canned, albacore)Tombo
0.325Tuna (fresh/frozen, yellowfin)Ahi
0.310Lobster (Northern/American)
0.252Halibut
0.220Sablefishblack cod, �butter fish�
0.205Tuna (fresh/frozen, skipjack)Aku
0.118Tuna (canned, light)

Fish and Shellfish With Low Levels of Mercury (less than 0.1 ppm):
PPMSPECIES
0.095Cod
0.09Lobster (spiny)
0.072Trout (freshwater)
0.070Squid
0.050Scallop
0.049Catfish
0.045Flatfish (Includes: Flounder, Plaice, Sole)
0.041Pollock
0.016Sardine
0.014Salmon (fresh/frozen)
0.013Oyster
NDSalmon (canned)
NDShrimp

ND - mercury concentration below detection level (Level of Detection (LOD)=0.01ppm)

FDA / EPA What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish - March 2004

US FDA - Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish

Hawaii Seafood Buyers� Guide


Raymond T. Kaya
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
www.reikialoha.com/raymond
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