Some of the health benefits of fish include that it is:. Mercury from most fish sold in Australia is not a health risk, when fish is consumed as part of a normal diet. However, for healthy adults who are not pregnant and older children six years and over , fish with high levels of mercury should probably not be eaten more than once a week. Unborn babies are at increased risk from mercury. The mercury in fish can lead to raised mercury levels in the mother. This mercury can be passed on through the placenta to her developing baby.
The fetus appears to be most sensitive to the effects of mercury during the third and fourth months of a pregnancy. The effects on the brain and nervous system may not be noticed until developmental milestones - such as walking and talking - are delayed.
Memory, language and attention span may also be affected. Studies of the brain development of children whose mothers ate significant amounts of fish with high mercury levels during pregnancy have been carried out in New Zealand, the Faroe Islands and the Seychelles. These researchers recommended reducing the amount of fish known to contain mercury in the diet, particularly for pregnant women. Australian research shows that mercury levels in some fish, particularly shark, could be even higher than in the areas studied for this research.
In fact, it seems that mercury levels in some shark species caught in Victorian waters are particularly high. Advice was extended to cover pregnant women, women intending to become pregnant within the next six months, young children and the general population. It is suggested that pregnant women eat 2—3 serves of fish every week for the good health of themselves and their developing baby.
However, pregnant women or women intending to become pregnant within the next six months should be careful about which fish they eat.
Some types of fish contain high levels of mercury, which can be harmful to the developing fetus. Pregnant women should:.
Note: g is equivalent to approximately two frozen crumbed fish portions. Methylmercury from fish eaten by women during pregnancy seems to only pose a health threat to the baby while it is in the womb. So people only go over the safe levels if they eat a lot of high mercury-containing fish regularly over many months. People can be exposed to this toxin in a number of ways, such as breathing in mercury vapors during mining and industrial work.
You can also be exposed by eating fish and shellfish because these animals absorb low concentrations of mercury due to water pollution.
Methylmercury is highly toxic, causing serious health problems when it reaches certain levels in your body. Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal. It can build up in the bodies of fish in the form of methylmercury, which is highly toxic. The amount of mercury in fish and other seafood depends on the species and the levels of pollution in its environment.
Another study discovered that one-third of fish caught on the New Jersey shore had mercury levels higher than 0. Overall, larger and longer-lived fish tend to contain the most mercury 4. These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna , marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike 5.
Larger fish tend to eat many smaller fish, which contain small amounts of mercury. This process is known as bioaccumulation 6. Mercury levels in fish are measured as parts per million ppm. Here are the average levels in different types of fish and seafood, from highest to lowest 5 :. Different types of fish and other seafood contain varying amounts of mercury.
Larger and longer-lived fish usually contain higher levels. Eating fish and shellfish is a major source of mercury exposure in humans and animals. Exposure — even in small amounts — can cause serious health problems 7 , 8. In some cities, you may be able to exchange your old mercury thermometer for a free digital replacement.
Household hazardous waste collection facilities and many pharmacies also collect and safely dispose of mercury thermometers. If a mercury thermometer breaks, make sure that children do not touch the liquid mercury or inhale its vapors. Carefully sweep the little silver balls of mercury into a disposable plastic container and seal the container shut. Then take the container to your local household hazardous waste collection facility. Do not flush the mercury down the toilet, vacuum it, or throw it in the garbage can.
Mercury is extremely difficult to remove from carpets, upholstery, or other absorbent surfaces and will continue to vaporize over time. They have more time to build up higher levels of mercury in their bodies. The Environmental Protection Agency EPA recommends checking local advisories for the mercury content of fish caught in your area using their website.
According to the FDA, there are many types of fish that tend to have low levels of mercury. Other fish have moderate levels of mercury, which makes them safe to eat in moderation—six servings or fewer per month. Several larger fish contain higher levels of mercury, which could contribute to potentially dangerous levels of mercury levels in the body if consumed in excess.
There are some fish that are very high and mercury and should be avoided altogether, particularly bluefish and grouper, according to the NRDC. Fish can be part of a healthy diet , but it's important to pay close attention to the types of fish your eating.
Choose low-mercury fish whenever possible, and consume fish with moderate levels of mercury only in moderation. As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid large fish with high levels of mercury entirely.
If you're pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, keep a list of the different types of contaminated fish handy to stay safe and protect your developing baby. Fortunately, there are many types of low-mercury fish you can safely enjoy. Explore recipes for fish , like these:. Remember, fish is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, many people around the world include fish and seafood as part of a balanced diet for overall health and longevity.
Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Food and Drug Administration. Advice about Eating Fish. Updated December 29, Environmental mercury and its toxic effects.
J Prev Med Public Health. World Health Organization. Mercury and Health. National Resource Defense Council. The Smart Seafood Buying Guide. Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish
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