Mercury

1. Mercury Under the Waves: a look at Mercury in Fish Ashley McElroy Walden University PUBH 6165-6

2. What is Mercury? • Is a heavy metal. • Naturally occurring in the environment. • Combines with carbon to make organic mercury compounds. • Information obtained on March 17, 2009 from http://www.greenfacts.org/en/mercury/l-2/mercury-1.htm • Information obtained on March 15, 2009 from http://www atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html#bookmark02

3. Mercury Continued Most common type of organic mercury is Methylmercury. Considered most toxic form of mercury. Methylmercury is found in many everyday foods. It is especially predominant in fish. Information obtained on March 15, 2009 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html#bookmark02

4. What is Methylmercury & Where is it Found? Methylmercury is formed in water and soil by small organisms.  Here it is eaten by plankton and krill. The plankton is eaten by fish.  Nearly all fish have trace levels of mercury. Fish that are larger in size or are older tend to have the highest levels of mercury. Some types of fish have higher levels of mercury than other types. Information obtained on March 23, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/fishadvisories/advice/ Information obtained on March 15, 2009 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html#bookmark02

5. Why Does this Matter? Methylmercury follows the food chain. Starting in fish and plankton. Which is consumed by humans. Leads to many health concerns. Information obtained on March 20, 2009 from http://www.ag.unr.edu/naes/Impact_Details.aspx?ImpactID=40

6. Fish with High Levels of Mercury • Shark • Swordfish • King Mackerel • Tilefish Information obtained on March 19, 2009 from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html

7. Fish with Lower Levels of Mercury Salmon Sardines Tilapia HakeHaddock Complete Information Available at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html Information obtained on March 19, 2009 from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html

8. What about Omega-3 Fatty Acids? Are Okay , if…….. Molecular Distillation Steam Deodorization Technologies U.S. Standards for Contaminants Information obtained on April 7, 2009 from http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=19376

9. Who is at Risk? • Everyone • A fetus is most susceptible • Factors that influence level of health risk Dose Age Duration Health Information obtained on April 9, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/hg/effects.htm

10. Health Hazards of Ingesting Methylmercury • Negative effects on brain • Negative effects on nervous system • Cognitive thinking impairment • Information obtained on April 9, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/hg/effects.htm

11. Hazards of Ingesting Methylmercury Vision problems Abnormal Sensations Coordination problems Speech Impairments Information obtained on April 9, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/hg/effects.htm

12. What can we do? • Limit intake of fish to once a week; or once a month if pregnant. • Stay away from fish with high levels of mercury. • Eat a variety of fish with low levels of mercury. • Limit fish intake to 12 ounces a week. Information obtained on April 5, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/fishadvisories/advice/factsheet.html

13. Importance of Fish Consumption Advisories • Potential health hazards. • Help the public choose • Fish Guide Information obtained on April 9, 2009 from http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/consumption/

14. Fish Consumption Advisories in Oregon • Emigrant Reservoir in Jackson County • Portland Harbor • Cottage Grove Reservoir in Lane County • Dorena Reservoir in Lane County Information obtained on April 9, 2009 from http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/envtox/fishadvisories.shtml

15. Key Points to Walk Away With Methylmercury is an organic form of mercury, that is considered the most toxic. Methylmercury is found in a variety of fish. Mercury is extremely dangerous to a fetus. Consume fish that have low levels of mercury. Look for fish advisories in your area.

16. References: • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (1999). ToxFaqs for Mercury. Retrieved on March 15, 2009 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html#bookmark02 • Environmental Defense Fund (2009). How Safe are Fish Oil Supplements? Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=19376 • Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Mercury. Retrieved on April 9, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/hg/effects.htm#meth • Environmental Protection Agency (2004). What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish. Retrieved on March 23, 2009 fromhttp://www.epa.gov/fishadvisories/advice/ • Green Facts Digest (2004) Scientific Facts on Mercury. Retrieved on March 17, 2009 from http://www.greenfacts.org/en/mercury/l-2/mercury-1.htm • Office of Research Facilities (2006). Mercury Health Hazards. Retrieved on April 7, 2009 from http://orf.od.nih.gov/Environmental+Protection/Mercury+Free/MercuryHealthHazards.htm

17. References • Oregon Department of Human Services (2009). DHS Environmental Toxicology Program. Retrieved on April 9, 2009 fromhttp://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/envtox/fishadvisories.shtml • University of Nevada (2009). Assessment of Potential for Mercury Methylation in One of Reno Nevada’s Local Streams. Retrieved on March 20, 2009 from http://www.ag.unr.edu/naes/Impact_Details.aspx?ImpactID=40 • U.S Department of Health and Human Services & Environmental Protection Agency (2006). Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish. Retrieved on March 17, 2009 from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2008). Fish Consumption Advisories. Retrieved on April 9, 2009 from http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/consumption