Mercury & PCBs in Fish (ft. Dr. Ken Drouillard)

Summary

In this video, Dr. Condry Art, an environmental expert, discusses the risks and benefits of eating fish, particularly concerning contaminants like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. While fish can provide significant health benefits, especially for heart health, certain species, such as swordfish and shark, contain high levels of mercury. Farmed salmon, though lower in mercury, has faced concerns over PCBs and dioxins, but industry improvements have reduced these toxins. Dr. Art advises consumers to be mindful of which fish they consume, especially for pregnant women and children, while highlighting the global efforts to reduce pollution in fish and promote safer consumption.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eating fish can provide significant health benefits, but concerns about pollutants like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins exist.
• 😀 Mercury in fish, especially for women of childbearing age and children, can cause neurological damage at high levels.
• 😀 High mercury fish include Gulf of Mexico tilefish, certain shark species, and large tuna like bigeye and bluefin tuna.
• 😀 Fish species with lower mercury levels, such as skipjack, albacore, and yellowfin tuna, are safer for regular consumption.
• 😀 The Minamata disaster highlighted the dangers of mercury in fish, but current mercury levels are much lower than those seen in that tragedy.
• 😀 Dioxins and PCBs can cause cancer and neurological damage, with higher levels found in certain freshwater fish and farmed salmon.
• 😀 Farmed salmon previously had higher PCB and dioxin levels, but changes to the feed have reduced these contaminants by four times since 1999.
• 😀 Despite slight changes in omega-3 to omega-6 ratios, farmed salmon remains a healthy, low-mercury option for most people.
• 😀 General fish consumption is recommended to be 3-4 meals per week, but sensitive populations should limit intake of high-mercury species.
• 😀 The overall health benefits of eating fish, especially for heart health, generally outweigh the risks from contaminants.
• 😀 It's important to educate yourself about which fish are safer to eat by checking local consumption advisories and trusted resources like the FDA and EPA.

Q & A

What are the main pollutants of concern when eating fish?

The main pollutants found in fish are mercury, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and dioxins. These can cause neurological issues, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children, and may also have cancer-promoting effects.

Why are mercury levels in fish a concern?

Mercury is a neurotoxin, meaning it can cause neurological problems at high levels of exposure. For women of childbearing age and young children, it can also affect the neurological development of offspring, leading to long-term health issues.

Which fish species are high in mercury?

Fish species that tend to have higher mercury levels include tilefish (especially from the Gulf of Mexico), large sharks, swordfish, bluefin tuna, and bigeye tuna.

What is the risk of mercury exposure in fish today compared to historical cases like the Minamata disaster?

Mercury levels in fish today are much lower than those during the Minamata disaster. For example, while the mercury levels in fish during that disaster were between 10 to 50 parts per million, today’s high-mercury fish, like tilefish and large tuna, typically have mercury levels around 1 part per million.

How much fish can the general population safely eat without risk of mercury toxicity?

For the general population, it is generally safe to eat fish up to 3-4 times per week, as long as the species consumed are low in mercury. For higher-mercury fish, it’s recommended to limit intake to 1-2 meals per week.

Are there any species of tuna that have high mercury content?

Yes, species like bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna are high in mercury. Other common tuna species such as skipjack, yellowfin, and albacore tend to have much lower mercury concentrations.

How does farmed salmon compare to wild salmon in terms of contaminants like PCBs and dioxins?

Farmed salmon has historically had higher levels of PCBs and dioxins compared to wild salmon due to the feed used in farming practices. However, recent changes in farmed salmon feed—such as the inclusion of vegetable oils—have significantly reduced these contaminants.

Can people eat farmed salmon regularly, and is it safe?

Yes, farmed salmon is now considered safe to eat regularly. While it has slightly altered fat profiles compared to wild salmon, with some reduction in omega-3 to omega-6 ratios, it is still a highly nutritious and low-mercury option. The levels of PCBs and dioxins have also significantly decreased in recent years.

What are the recommended guidelines for eating fish for women of childbearing age and children?

Women of childbearing age and children should limit their intake of high-mercury fish to no more than 1-2 meals per week, depending on the species. For other fish, the recommendation is 3-4 meals per week. It's also important to focus on low-mercury options like farmed salmon, which is safe to eat more frequently.

How can we reduce the risks of consuming pollutants in fish?

The best way to reduce risks is to be informed about which fish have higher levels of pollutants and to limit consumption of those. Resources like the FDA, EPA, and local sport fish advisories can provide guidelines on safe fish consumption. Avoiding high-mercury species and opting for smaller, low-mercury fish is a good strategy.