Mercury contamination in every fish?
Mercury contamination in every fish?
Reading an article from Yahoo news about all fish in the USA being contaminated with mercury and I was wondering if Thailand might have the same problem.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090820/ap_ ... tamination
Re: Mercury contamination in every fish?
Yes, Stan, some areas have fish with high levels of heavy metals. A friend of mine did his doctoral thesis in a study of a swamp area that was championed as an area that naturally cleaned the water, that water being waste water that was pumped into the swamp. His study specifically studied the fish and the toxins found in them. This showed levels up to many times (many times being an understatement) those allowed for consumption in most countries (to include Thailand). Fish were concurrently being sold for consumption and it is possible that they are still being sold. Needless to say, this thesis was not published.
Of course, we cannot be sure that human causes to harming the environment can be blamed for this (incredibly deep sarcasm).
Of course, we cannot be sure that human causes to harming the environment can be blamed for this (incredibly deep sarcasm).
Re: Mercury contamination in every fish?
Here is the UK Health authority advice to pregnant women...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6043490.stm
Advice from New Zealand
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/chem ... /index.htm
So it would appear to be pretty much a world wide issue...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6043490.stm
Advice from New Zealand
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/chem ... /index.htm
So it would appear to be pretty much a world wide issue...
Re: Mercury contamination in every fish?
All life on earth is now contaminated to some degree by natural or man-made toxins. The question is: what is a safe level? The Answer? There has been some research but most is extrapolation or guesswork. If you are worried, these general points should be considered.
1. Are there any known toxic minerals in your locality (or upstream)?
2. Is there any mining taking place as above (even for non-toxic minerals)?
3. Are there any industrial establishments (include waste tips) in your area (or upstream).
If the answer is yes, find out more. General points, sea fish now all have some low levels of contamination, because all seas get pollution from somewhere and all are interconnected. Ocean fish less polluted than inshore fish. Tropical areas have less of a problem with organic toxins, because heat/sunlight mean they degrade faster (so DDT may have been used a lot in tropics, but now low levels, arctic still polluted although not used!).
Specifically mercury, some areas have known high levels (e.g. American great lakes) Also bio-accumulation means top predators concentrate toxins more, so fish that mainly eat fish (e.g.Tuna, Walleye in great lakes) are more dangerous. Best bet is a few Tilapia grown on the farm as long as not much chemicals being used around there.
1. Are there any known toxic minerals in your locality (or upstream)?
2. Is there any mining taking place as above (even for non-toxic minerals)?
3. Are there any industrial establishments (include waste tips) in your area (or upstream).
If the answer is yes, find out more. General points, sea fish now all have some low levels of contamination, because all seas get pollution from somewhere and all are interconnected. Ocean fish less polluted than inshore fish. Tropical areas have less of a problem with organic toxins, because heat/sunlight mean they degrade faster (so DDT may have been used a lot in tropics, but now low levels, arctic still polluted although not used!).
Specifically mercury, some areas have known high levels (e.g. American great lakes) Also bio-accumulation means top predators concentrate toxins more, so fish that mainly eat fish (e.g.Tuna, Walleye in great lakes) are more dangerous. Best bet is a few Tilapia grown on the farm as long as not much chemicals being used around there.