Mercury Found In Fish Throughout US

As a kid, I did a fair amount of fishing with my Grandpa. I have to admit that the main reasons I enjoyed the fishing had nothing to do with the fish – I loved being with Grandpa and I loved riding in the boat.  My favorite fish dish at the time was my Grandma’s Perch that were fried in a beer batter.

Fishing is still a favorite pass-time of many people, but unfortunately, eating the fish could pose some possible dangers for your health. The U.S. Geological Service released a report saying that recent testing in 291 streams across the country yielded results that show dangerously high levels of Mercury in the fish. Every single fish they tested showed some Mercury.

Mercury is a neurotoxin that can lead to “…birth defects, tremors, speech impairment, and brain damage.” The source of the Mercury is thought to be coal-fired power plants. The coal particles are released into the air it then makes it’s way into the water systems, and into the fish. The problem appears to be worse in the Southeast, Northeast, and Upper Midwest.

…where fishing in streams is very common and widely assumed to be safe. “Conditions were just right for those locations to take inorganic mercury in the atmosphere and convert it into methylmercury, the most toxic form,” says Barbara Scudder, the lead scientist on the study.

Image credit: Michelle Smith