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Mercury Warnings

Two years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warnings that several kinds of fish contain high levels of mercury that can damage the central nervous system. The agency warned pregnant women and children to limit how much of the mercury-tainted fish they eat each week.

But many people still don’t know about those warnings, or can’t keep straight which fish they should or should not eat. That’s why several grocery stores are now posting signs with information about mercury warnings in their seafood departments.

Some stores – such as Whole Foods, Safeway and Wild Oats – independently decided to post the warnings. Others were asked to do so by Oceana, an international conservation organization. And in Swampscott, Massachusetts, the Board of Health required restaurants and markets to put up the signs.

Studies have shown that mercury causes damage to the central nervous system in children and that it can cross the uterus when fish are ingested by the mother. Research also suggests that it can cause neurological, cardiovascular and immune problems in adults of both sexes. The FDA warns against eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish and suggests limiting consumption of albacore tuna or tuna steaks to six ounces per week or less.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org