In this day and age, we have to be careful about what we eat. It’s ironic to think how the food that nourishes us may just be our ticket to a whole range of illnesses, diseases and even death.

We can’t deny the fact that in recent years, even what we consider as fresh and natural food aren’t even safe anymore – Mad Cow Disease found in some meat, artificially-fattened chickens, fruits and vegetables that are filled with fertilizers, and red tide.

Seafood, especially in fish, has now been found to be contaminated with dangerous levels of mercury. A study of this alarming occurrence was done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This thoroughly-researched study has revealed that more than two-thirds of freshwater fish exceed the levels of mercury concentration that humans are able to digest inside their bodies.

MERCURY POLLUTION

Pollution in the seas has contributed to this greatly. The seas and oceans, the rivers and the lakes are huge sources from which we get our food from. What the EPA has found in their study is that garbage was thrown out improperly (plastics, paper, wood, etc) damaging the water ecosystem. Even more disheartening is the level of toxic chemicals, coal, and other damaging substances present in it as well.

According to several researches, the biggest source of mercury is the pollution from coal power plants and it accounts for about 30%-50% of mercury found in the environment today. What starts as smoke from these powerplants is deposited into the clouds during condensation and then when it rains or snows, it enters the ecosystem.

OUR MERCURY INTAKE

Mercury pollution is everywhere: in the air, on land, and in bodies of water. The US Geological Survey has found out exactly how extensive the damage of mercury pollution is in one of their studies. From almost 300 freshwater rivers in the United States, indicate mercury contamination in every fish taken from each of the rivers. Several of those fish contained high enough levels of mercury that they were deemed too dangerous for human consumption.

It is also disheartening to know that the most damaged fish are the most popular kinds. Favorites such as swordfish and shark contain the most alarming levels of methyl-mercury. Though it might seem that only the large kinds of fish are the only ones that should be avoided, it’s not. Fresh water fish are also affected and have tested positive for high levels of mercury.

Mercury poisoning is as grave as anything else. That’s why consumers should also be aware of the fish they buy at their local markets. For those extra cautious people that still need a steady dose of fish in their diet, a better option would be to stick with canned seafood. A lot of canned fish are thought to have very low mercury content, especially tuna, king mackerel, cod, herring, salmon and trout. A temporary alternative to other seafood products are the canned and dried versions of it.

EFFECTS OF MERCURY ON OUR BODIES

Mercury in any form is always to be avoided. A high level of mercury in the body could cause it to deteriorate fast and it affects the most important parts of the body.

Mercury causes brain damage both in children and adults, spreading its negative effects to the nerves. When we expose ourselves to mercury-laden fishes, it also brings about a terrible effect to the stomach and small intestines. A deeper study into mercury and its effects to the body has revealed that it causes reproductive problems both in males and females, as well as learning disabilities and memory deficiency in children. Pregnant women are always advised to be mindful of what they are eating, even more so for seafood that is reported to have come from watersheds and rivers.

According to GotMercury.org, there is a proper way to be able to include fish in the diet without risking our health. Remember to eat fish sparingly; making sure beforehand that it is not one of those with very high levels. The serving sizes: 6 to 9 ounces is the recommended serving of cooked fish, while in raw fish, you should tend to avoid it at all costs, and at most, stop at 4 ounces.

It is true that seafood have one of the most concentrated minerals and good oils, but all of those simply overshadow the risk that you take if you become exposed to mercury.