|
 |
HOME >
FISHING >
FRESHWATER >
HEALTH > MERCURY
FRESHWATER FISHING
Mercury
Mercury |
Unrestricted Consumption |
Limited Consumption
No Consumption |
Lead Poisoning
During the past several years, the
Florida Department of Health (DOH), the Florida Game
and Fresh Water Fish Commission, and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection have discovered
high levels of mercury in fish from some freshwater
locations around the state (See
map). An interesting article was published in the
"Tallahassee Democrat" about all types of water
contamination, in January 1999. A thorough review is
provided by Florida State University in an article
entitled "Florida's Mercury Menace". Another article
entitled "Mercury
in their Midst" provides updated information through
1997. (See also:
Mercury in their Midst,
Natural Match: Mercury in the Everglades,
Mercury Facts, and
What's Safe).
DOH has issued health advisories recommending that
affected fish species caught water systems contaminated
with mercury should not be eaten more than once per week
by adults and not more than once per month by pregnant
women, nursing mothers, women who intend to have
children, and children under 15 years of age.
These recommendations are based on a portion size of
approximately one-half pound of fish. In addition to the
limited consumption
advisories, DOH recommends that fish caught in certain
parts of the Everglades should
never be eaten.
Many water bodies have fish with low levels of mercury,
and no
limitations on consumption. Listed below are
Florida's fresh water bodies that have been tested for
mercury in fish, and their health advisory status.
For more information on mercury, contact your local
County Public Health Department, or the
Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental
Epidemiology at (904) 488-3370. In addition,
Massachusetts has a comprehensive
report on mercury impacts on fishes in portable
document format (pdf) on-line.
|
|
|
