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Coastal women at twice the risk from mercury exposure
Chicago Tribune environmental reporter Michael Hawthorne recently reported on a new study by EPA that found 1 in 5 women of child-bearing age living in coastal states are contaminated with excessive levels of the toxic chemical mercury – twice the rate for women in inland states.
The study found that the blood of females between 16 and 49 was contaminated with levels of mercury that could pose risks for a child in the womb. Mercury crosses the placenta and concentrates in a baby’s brain, where it can lead to irreversible damage.
The government has long ignored mercury risks in populations that eat more fish. These data confirm what many have long suspected, that coastal populations are at greater risk from mercury in seafood. The FDA’s current health advice covers only 4 fish, leaving pregnant women in the dark about the mercury hazards in most of the seafood they consume.
This study highlights the real world consequences of FDA’s bad advice on mercury in fish and raises serious health concerns for women in coastal states. Women need solid advice from FDA on what’s safe to eat, including what types of seafood provide nutrients without the excess mercury.
This study further confirms the urgent need for policies that protect the public from exposures to any of the more than 200 industrial chemicals, including mercury, that pose risks to the human brain and nervous system.
With 1 in 6 children in the U.S. born with some form of developmental disability – what research have termed a “silent pandemic” caused by industrial chemicals – we can’t afford for FDA to continue pandering to the seafood industry at the expense of children’s health.
A few years back, EWG researchers decided to step in and help women get more accurate information regarding the amount of tuna they could safely consume in a week by creating an online calculator.
Jane Houlihan
Photo by mrjoro
At the rate we're currently depleting global fish stocks, increased concentrations of mercury in fish will stop being a concern. There will come a time - in the not too distant future - when our capacity to harvest pelagic fish species will come to a grinding halt!
In the interim, the research you highlight is certainly disconcerting.
Why worry about just coastal women? All people, women and ESPECIALLY children, are exposed to very high levels of mercury. Children's vaccines, your city water, and a myriad of other sources are full of it. Nevermind the other poisons you're pumped with daily, such as fluoride, pesticides, hormones, and more.
Aaron, thanks for your great observation. You're exactly right, mercury is a concern for every where. This particular piece highlights the more extreme risk on the coastal population, but our research at EWG discusses the issue more broadly. You can check out our research on mercury here: http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/470