Avoid Mercury in Fish 2009

Parents avoid fish that is high in mercury content for you and your family. Mercury has been known to cause neurological damage at higher exposure levels. A recent 2009 study has shown that mostly all of the fresh stream fish in the United States contain at least traces of Mercury (HG) and at least 25% of the stream fish contains a disturbingly higher amount than the EPA recommends.

The warning was mainly referring to fish caught by sport fishers in streams and not the supermarket or restaurant fish we consume. However, there are even some types of supermarket and restaurant fish, fresh or canned, that contain mercury and should also be limited to eating once a week.

The most dangerous fish to consume which typically shows the highest levels of mercury include shark, kingfish and swordfish. Also to be somewhat concerned about is canned albacore tuna. If you are going to buy canned tuna for your family the canned light tuna is the better alternative to albacore as it typically contains less mercury and is in the group of better fish to eat.

The fish with the lowest amount of mercury are those that are not predatory fish, usually small ones like anchovies, sardines, shrimp, salmon and whitefish. These are the fish types with the least amount of mercury and not on a list to be concerned about.

In any case, it is best to limit intake of albacore tuna to once a week at maximum and if you regularly eat tuna, it may be best to consider the Canned Light Tuna (darker type of tuna) as an alternative that has less mercury in it.