Mercury Contamination in Fish
Neurological Consequences of Exposure
This post is something for your reference only. There is a not a single word that is original with me, but I saved this Wikipedia page when addressing toxic metals in relationship to dental materials and had meant to share it when the time was right.
Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish ¹
Mean (ppm)
1.123 Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico)
0.995 Swordfish
0.979 Shark
0.730 Mackerel (king)
0.689 Tuna (bigeye)
0.571 Orange roughy (perch)
0.485 Marlin
0.454 Mackerel (Spanish)
0.448 Grouper
0.386 Tuna
0.368 Bluefish
0.361 Sablefish
0.358 Tuna (albacore)
0.354 Tuna (yellowfin)
0.354 Patagonian toothfish
0.350 Tuna (albacore)
0.287 Croaker white
0.241 Halibut
0.235 Weakfish
0.233 Scorpionfish
0.182 Mackerel (Spanish)
0.178 Mahi-mahi
0.167 Bass
0.166 Snapper
0.161 Monkfish
0.150 Perch
0.144 Tuna (skipjack)
0.144 Tilefish (Atlantic)
0.137 Skate
0.137 Buffalofish
0.126 Tuna
0.121 Perch (ocean)
0.111 Cod
0.110 Carp
0.107 Lobster (American)
0.095 Pickerel (American)
0.093 Lobster (spiny)
0.090 Sheephead (California)
0.089 Whitefish
0.088 Mackerel (chub)
0.081 Jacksmelt
0.079 Hake
0.078 Herring
0.071 Trout
0.065 Croaker (Atlantic)
0.065 Crab
0.058 Butterfish
0.056 Flatfish
0.055 Haddock
0.051 Whiting
0.050 Mackerel (Atlantic)
0.050 Mullet
0.038 Shad (American)
0.032 Crayfish
0.031 Pollock
0.024 Squid
0.024 Catfish
0.022 Salmon
0.016 Anchovies
0.014 Salmon
0.013 Sardine
0.013 Tilapia
0.012 Oyster
0.009 Clam
0.009 Shrimp
0.003 Scallop
Medical Cases and Exposure to Mercury
In the United States, the EPA provides advice about the levels of mercury that are non-fatal in humans. Symptoms of exposure to high levels of methyl mercury include disturbed vision, hearing, and speech, lack of coordination, and muscle weakness. Medical studies have examined the correlation of fish consumption and health issues. American studies have presented evidence of fish consumption and its effects on child development. Longitudinal studies agree that human activities release mercury that accumulates in marine life. Addressing the issues of fish consumption forces health officials to recognize the sources of mercury in the human body. Specific Native American tribes are vulnerable to a high exposure of mercury. Studies have determined that these native peoples in the United States suffer more from mercury poisoning and illness than any other cohort group in the country. This is due to the fact that fish is a main source of protein. Exposure risk was assessed through a medical study, thus raising judicial issues of whether the public health of these groups is a priority in the United States.¹
Minamata Disease
In the 1950s, inhabitants of the seaside town of Minamata, on Kyushu island in Japan, noticed strange behavior in animals. Cats would exhibit nervous tremors, dance, and scream. Within a few years, this was observed in other animals; birds would drop out of the sky. Symptoms were also observed in fish, an important component of the diet, especially for the poor. When human symptoms started to be noticed around 1956 an investigation began. Fishing was officially banned in 1957. It was found that the Chisso Corporation, a petrochemical company and maker of plastics such as vinyl chloride, had been discharging heavy metal waste into the sea for decades. They used mercury compounds as catalysts in their syntheses. It is believed that about 5,000 people were killed and perhaps 50,000 were to some extent poisoned by mercury. Mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan, is now known as Minamata disease. ¹
This video has some interesting background on Robert F. Kennedy’s environmental efforts over the last 40 years. He directly references fish. The video is 15 minutes.
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