Mercury in fish (2024)

FAQs

Should you worry about mercury in fish? ›

It slowly leaves the body through urine, stool, and breast milk. For most people, eating a small amount of fish high in mercury isn't a health concern. Fish are part of a healthy diet. But in a fetus or child, too much mercury can harm the brain and nerves.

Much (an estimated 40%) of the mercury that eventually finds its way into fish originates with coal-burning power plants and chlorine production plants. The largest source of mercury contamination in the United States is coal-fueled power plant emissions.

The Atlantic coast tilefish has lower averages of 0.144 ppm, but it can reach 0.533 ppm. King mackerel averages 0.73 ppm of mercury. This species can reach 1.67 ppm in some cases. Bigeye tuna can hold an average mercury load of 0.689 ppm and a high load of 1.816 ppm.

Choose fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury such as salmon, trout, tilapia, cod, sole, sardines, shrimp, oysters, and other shellfish. For the most health benefits, choose fatty fish such as salmon, trout, herring, chub mackerel, and sardines. o These fish have healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends at least 8 ounces of fish per week (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) and less for children. Those who might become or are pregnant or breastfeeding should eat between 8 and 12 ounces of a variety of fish per week, from choices that are lower in mercury.

While it might be safe to eat fish every day, Rimm says it's still not clear if there is any added health benefits to that level of consumption. “Most of the science isn't looking at daily consumption,” he explains.

Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.

Can cooking fish get rid of the mercury? No, there is no method of cooking or cleaning fish that will reduce the amount of mercury. Pregnant women should enjoy cooked fish and not eat raw fish as raw fish may have bacteria that can harm your baby.

Farmed salmon is a smart, safe and sustainable seafood choice. Salmon is low in mercury. Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species. Farmed salmon has on average, 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram.

It's also possible to develop mercury poisoning from eating too much seafood, even if the varieties have lower levels of mercury. The FDA states that in small amounts, certain types of fish with lower mercury levels may be okay for adults to eat once or twice per week.

How to get rid of mercury in fish? ›

Mercury is tightly bound to proteins in all fish tissue, including muscle. There is no method of cooking or cleaning fish that will reduce the amount of mercury in a meal.

After wet digestion, the mercury content was determined by cold-flameless AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry). The average Hg content in muscle and/or fatty tissue was 0.004 and 0.001 ppm of fresh weight, respectively and thus was very low. The limit value of 0.08 ppm was exceeded in 2% of the samples analysed.

Examples of fish that contain lower levels of mercury include: shellfish including prawns, lobsters and oysters. salmon. canned tuna.

That's because, while canned tuna, especially light varieties, has relatively low average levels of mercury, individual cans can sometimes have much higher levels. “From can to can, mercury levels can spike in unpredictable ways that might jeopardize the health of a fetus,” says James E.

It's also possible to develop mercury poisoning from eating too much seafood, even if the varieties have lower levels of mercury. The FDA states that in small amounts, certain types of fish with lower mercury levels may be okay for adults to eat once or twice per week.

Salmon, sardines, crab, and scallops are listed as safe to eat three times a week. But here's the vital part to know: That doesn't mean you can't eat more. Mercury exposure has been tied to neurological problems in the developing fetus and in children and animals.

Occasional consumption of shark, swordfish or marlin as part of a balanced diet by any other adults is unlikely to result in harmful effects. However, on a precautionary basis, they are advised against eating more than one portion each week of either shark or swordfish or marlin.