Fish Containing High Levels Of Mercury

Fish and shellfish concentrate mercury in their bodies often in the form of methylmercury a highly toxic organomercury compound.

Fish containing high levels of mercury.

Fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. But nearly all fish contain at least a trace amount of mercury. Here are the fish with the highest amounts of mercury. Fish are important in a healthy diet.

The concern over this issue hovers over the otherwise positive benefits of eating seafood. However some fish may contain mercury or other harmful chemicals at sufficiently high levels to be a concern. Federal state and local governments issue fish consumption advisories when fish are unsafe to eat. Mackerel king 110 micrograms of mercury.

However some types of fish can contain high levels of mercury. The unborn baby is most sensitive to the effects of mercury particularly during the third and fourth months of gestation. 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. That s because it s a great source of protein micronutrients and healthy fats.

Swordfish 147 micrograms of mercury. Eat up to 12 ounces 2 average meals a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are. Fish that contain high levels of mercury include shark orange roughy swordfish and ling. The risk of mercury poisoning is real if you eat a lot of fish especially fish that have a high concentration of mercury.

You may also sort the table by species in alphabetical order. Shark 151 micrograms of mercury. Tilefish gulf of mexico containing a whopping average 219 micrograms of mercury the tilefish native to the gulf of mexico tops the list of mercury tainted seafood. They are a lean low calorie source of protein.

The table is sorted by mercury concentration mean ppm from fish with lowest levels of mercury to highest levels of mercury. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air water and food. Fish products have been shown to contain varying amounts of heavy metals particularly mercury and fat soluble pollutants from water pollution species of fish that are long lived and high on the food chain such as marlin tuna shark swordfish king mackerel and.