New research finds foul fish. (Updates).From Hong Kong to San Francisco, scientists have uncovered new evidence that diets high in ocean fish such as tuna and swordfish swordfish, large food and game fish, Xiphias gladius, of the warmer Atlantic and Pacific waters, related to the sailfish. It is named for its sharp, broad, elongated upper jaw, which it uses to flail and pierce its prey of smaller fish, rising beneath a school can lead to high blood mercury levels. Dr. Jane Hightower of the California Pacific Medical Center California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) is one of the largest private, not-for-profit, academic medical centers in Northern California. The Medical Center is a combination of three of San Francisco's oldest medical institutions: Pacific Presbyterian Hospital, Children's Hospital recently published the results of a yearlong study, which found that patients who regularly consumed fish had elevated blood levels of toxic mercury, called methylmercury. Eighty-nine percent of the people had mercury levels exceeding the five parts per billion recognized as safe by the Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and (EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. ) and the National Academy of Sciences. A separate survey of Hong Kong high school students found that as many as 10 percent have a mercury exposure above that which is recommended as safe by The World Health Organization because of diets high in tuna and swordfish. Significant mercury exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage (see "Heavy Metal Harm," cover story, May/June 2002). In November 2002, the New England Journal of Medicine The New England Journal of Medicine (New Engl J Med or NEJM) is an English-language peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It is one of the most popular and widely-read peer-reviewed general medical journals in the world. published two reports on the long-term effects of mercury exposure on the heart. While one study reported no explicit link, another found that those who had suffered a heart attack had higher mercury levels. CONTACT: Mercury Policy Project, (802)223-9000, www mercurypolicy.org. |
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