Fish Containing High Levels Of Mercury

Federal state and local governments issue fish consumption advisories when fish are unsafe to eat.

Fish containing high levels of mercury. Fish are important in a healthy diet. Most state s game and fish departments publish not only the list of fish advisories consumption bans and cautions but also locations and areas that are prone to exhibit higher levels of toxins in fish both offshore and inshore and what specifically those toxins are which include dioxins mercury and pcbs. Do not eat shark swordfish king mackerel or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury. Mackerel king 110 micrograms of mercury.

Eat up to 12 ounces 2 average meals a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are. The risk of mercury poisoning is real if you eat a lot of fish especially fish that have a high concentration of mercury. Fish and shellfish concentrate mercury in their bodies often in the form of methylmercury a highly toxic organomercury compound. Here are some low mercury fish choices and fish to avoid.

Fish products have been shown to contain varying amounts of heavy metals particularly mercury and fat soluble pollutants from water pollution species of fish that are long lived and high on the food chain such as marlin tuna shark swordfish king mackerel and. But nearly all fish contain at least a trace amount of mercury. Fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. However some types of fish can contain high levels of mercury.

That s because it s a great source of protein micronutrients and healthy fats. Tilefish gulf of mexico containing a whopping average 219 micrograms of mercury the tilefish native to the gulf of mexico tops the list of mercury tainted seafood. Before shopping for seafood familiarize yourself with the levels of mercury in fish. However some fish may contain mercury or other harmful chemicals at sufficiently high levels to be a concern.

Shark 151 micrograms of mercury. Swordfish 147 micrograms of mercury. Here are the fish with the highest amounts of mercury. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air water and food.

The table is sorted by mercury concentration mean ppm from fish with lowest levels of mercury to highest levels of mercury. Fish that contain high levels of mercury include shark orange roughy swordfish and ling. The unborn baby is most sensitive to the effects of mercury particularly during the third and fourth months of gestation.