The Food Safety Authority of Ireland FSAI is providing important precautionary advice in relation to the consumption of fish following the publication of studies, which indicate the presence of mercury in top predatory fish species. The FSAI is advising pregnant and breastfeeding women, women of childbearing age and young children to limit their intake of predatory fish shark, swordfish, tuna, etc while continuing to consume other fish as part of a balanced diet.
It recommends that these groups select fish from a wide range of species but not to eat swordfish, marlin and shark, and to limit consumption of tuna to one fresh tuna steak or two 8oz cans of tuna per week. The FSAI states that mercury is a metal, which is found both naturally in the environment and also as a result of disposal of waste or releases from industrial activities.
It is a contaminant and can build up in the food chain. A recent European Food Safety Authority study undertaken by its Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain has shown that its chemical form, methylmercury, is prevalent in all fish and can build up to significant levels in large predatory fish as these fish consume smaller species that have taken up mercury in the environment.
These predatory fish thus have a larger store of mercury, which is found to affect the human nervous system and the developing brain. It is on this basis the FSAI is making this recommendation to pregnant, breastfeeding and women of child bearing age so as to protect unborn, newborn and young children against the negative effects of the build up of methylmercury. FSAI stated it is important that consumers including pregnant and breastfeeding women continue to appreciate the role and benefits of fish in a healthy diet.
Everyone should continue to eat one to two portions of fish per week including one portion of oily fish such as salmon. So how do we reduce our exposure to mercury? First, since all fish contain at least traces of methylmercury, what fish can we eat and how much? For pregnant or nursing women, as well as young children, the risks of mercury are significant enough to cut out high-mercury fish from their diet entirely.
Or check out graphics that clearly illustrate the fish with the highest and lowest levels of mercury. When it comes to reducing the mercury emissions that cause these public health problems in seafood, the answer is that we have to stop burning fossil fuels like coal to create electricity.
The Trump administration rolled back Obama-era plans to curb coal use and to cut 90 percent of mercury and other toxic pollutant emissions , which hinders progress towards this goal. This is also a global problem: countries in East and Southeast Asia account for nearly 50 percent of anthropogenic mercury emissions. Consider mercury just one more reason why the world should shift away from burning fossil fuels and towards renewable energy.
By following these 3 recommendations for selecting and eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish and be confident that they have reduced their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury. Eat up to 12 ounces 2 average meals a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces one average meal per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week. Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions.
What is mercury and methylmercury? Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and can also be released into the air through industrial pollution. Mercury falls from the air and can accumulate in streams and oceans and is turned into methylmercury in the water. It is this type of mercury that can be harmful to your unborn baby and young child. Fish absorb the methylmercury as they feed in these waters and so it builds up in them.
It builds up more in some types of fish and shellfish than others, depending on what the fish eat, which is why the levels vary. I'm a woman who could have children but I'm not pregnant - so why should I be concerned about methylmercury? Bluefish, shark, swordfish, wild sturgeon, opah and bigeye tuna carry a proportionately large mercury burden as well.
Also of concern, but to a slightly lesser extent, are orange roughy, Chilean sea bass, blue crab, lingcod, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, wahoo, grouper, snapper, halibut, tile fish, rock fish and sable fish, as well as blackfin, albacore and yellowfin tuna. Beyond what individuals can do to avoid mercury, the U. The agreement commits signatory countries—including the U. A legally binding treaty mandating just how much each country will have to cut back mercury emissions takes hold in Send questions to : earthtalk emagazine.
Subscribe: www. Free Trial Issue : www.
0コメント