Fish Contain Mercury List

However some types of fish can contain high levels of mercury.

Fish contain mercury list.

Federal state and local governments issue fish consumption advisories when fish are unsafe to eat. These figures are measured in micrograms of mercury per 4 ounces of. However some fish may contain mercury or other harmful chemicals at sufficiently high levels to be a concern. Fish are important in a healthy diet.

Most state s game and fish departments publish not only the list of fish advisories consumption bans and cautions but also locations and areas that are prone to exhibit higher levels of toxins in fish both offshore and inshore and what specifically those toxins are which include dioxins mercury and pcbs. Mercury is defined as a chemical element with symbol hg and atomic number 80. All fish contain trace amounts of mercury. The risk of mercury poisoning is real if you eat a lot of fish especially fish that have a high concentration of mercury.

Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world mostly as cinnabar mercuric sulfide. They are a lean low calorie source of protein. Here are some low mercury fish choices and fish to avoid. For most people the small amounts in fish do not pose a health problem.

That s because it s a great source of protein micronutrients and healthy fats. Most of these fish low in mercury species live on the sea floor and their flesh is white. Mercury can be absorbed through. But nearly all fish contain at least a trace amount of mercury.

The concern over this issue hovers over the otherwise positive benefits of eating seafood. Whitefish is a fishery term that refers to multiple fish species like cod whiting and caspian kutum. Seafood prepared from white fish is rich in proteins fats sodium potassium vitamins selenium magnesium and calcium. Remember the younger and smaller the fish the safer since the amount of mercury increases every time a larger fish eats a small fish.

Some fish however contain high amounts of mercury enough to damage a fetus or newborn. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum. Opt for organic farm raised seafood that contains lesser amounts of mercury such as wild alaskan salmon eel crab shrimp and catfish. Before shopping for seafood familiarize yourself with the levels of mercury in fish.

On october 6 2014 technical changes were made to allow viewers to review the list in order of mercury levels and in alphabetical order by fish species. Fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat.