Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish (1990-2012)
| SPECIES | MERCURY CONCENTRATION MEAN (PPM) | SOURCE OF DATA |
|---|---|---|
| TILEFISH (Atlantic) | 0.144 | FDA 1994-2004 |
| TUNA (FRESH/FROZEN, SKIPJACK) | 0.144 | FDA 1993-2007 |
| PERCH (Freshwater) | 0.150 | FDA 1991-2007 |
| MONKFISH | 0.161 | FDA 1994-2007 |
Is tilefish high in mercury?
Golden tilefish, a bottom dwelling fish living at the edge of the continental shelf, has high mercury concentrations averaging about 1 part per million, enough for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include this species among the four groups that warrant greatest concern.
How often can you eat tilefish?
This 2020 study shows a majority of Atlantic tilefish sampled off the coast of South Carolina were within the EPA & FDA “good choice” range for consuming at least one serving per week, with 62% being within the range considered best for eating two meals per week.
Is tilefish healthy to eat?
Tilefish are a type of lean fish that can be found in parts of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Gulf of Mexico. While tilefish from the Atlantic Ocean are safe to eat, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico have by far the highest mercury levels of all fish tested by the FDA.
What seafood is highest in mercury?
Overall, larger and longer-lived fish tend to contain the most mercury ( 4 ). These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike ( 5 ). Larger fish tend to eat many smaller fish, which contain small amounts of mercury.
Why do tilefish have so much mercury?
Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury. However, larger fish that have lived longer have the highest levels of methylmercury because they’ve had more time to accumulate it. These large fish (swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish) pose the greatest risk.
Why does tile fish have so much mercury?
Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury. However, larger fish (swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tuna and tilefish) that have lived longer have the highest levels of methylmercury because they have had more time to accumulate it. It is the type of mercury that can be harmful to young people.
Which seafood has the least mercury?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that to consume those higher amounts, children should only be fed fish from the “Best Choices” list that are even lower in mercury – these fish are anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, catfish, clams, crab, crawfish, flounder, haddock, mullet, oysters, plaice, pollock, salmon,
What’s the healthiest fish to eat?
6 of the Healthiest Fish to Eat
- Albacore Tuna (troll- or pole-caught, from the US or British Columbia)
- Salmon (wild-caught, Alaska)
- Oysters (farmed)
- Sardines, Pacific (wild-caught)
- Rainbow Trout (farmed)
- Freshwater Coho Salmon (farmed in tank systems, from the US)
Which fish should not be eaten?
Making the “do not eat” list are King Mackerel, Shark, Swordfish and Tilefish. All fish advisories due to increased mercury levels should be taken seriously. This is especially important for vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and older adults.
What is the safest cleanest fish to eat?
HERRING. These silvery fish are not only affordable and full of omega-3s, but herring has minimal mercury content, making it one of the cleanest and safest ocean fish to eat, says Derocha.
What is the cleanest eating fish?
The USDA’s Dietary Guidelines say to eat at least 8 ounces of seafood a week-choosing lower-mercury fish (salmon, shrimp, canned light tuna, tilapia, cod) and some omega-3-rich fish.
What are 3 examples of seafood you should not buy?
Fish to Avoid
- Atlantic Halibut. Although these flatfish are low-calorie, low-fat, and protein-rich, they have moderately-high levels of mercury.
- Bluefin Tuna. Bluefin tuna have high levels of mercury and PCBs—in part because they grow slower and take longer to reproduce—so they should be avoided.
- Orange Roughy.
- Swordfish.
What are the 7 highest mercury fish?
Fish that contain higher levels of mercury include:
- Shark.
- Ray.
- Swordfish.
- Barramundi.
- Gemfish.
- Orange roughy.
- Ling.
- Southern bluefin tuna.
What are the 4 highest mercury fish?
There are 4 types of fish that should be on the list to avoid due to mercury levels. These include: shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish.
How do you rid your body of mercury?
If you have mercury poisoning with a very high level of mercury in your blood, your doctor will probably recommend chelation therapy. This method involves using medications, called chelators, that bind to mercury in your body and help it to exit your system. Chelators can be taken as a pill or injected.
What happens if you eat fish with high mercury?
High amounts of mercury can lead to long-term and sometimes permanent neurological changes. The dangers are especially notable in young children who are still developing. Mercury exposure can lead to developmental problems in the brain, which can also affect physical functions such as motor skills.
How long does mercury stay in the body from fish?
It takes our bodies about 60 days to eliminate half of the mercury ingested, so fish with higher mercury concentrations should be eaten less frequently. The health effects of eating fish contaminated with PCBs have been widely studied in animals and humans.
Which fish have the most and least mercury?
In general, a good rule of thumb when it comes to mercury content is to consider the size of the fish. Smaller fish such as salmon, scallops, sardines and shrimp contain less mercury than their larger predators such as bigeye tuna and swordfish.
How common is mercury poisoning from fish?
Okay, but how common is mercury poisoning? Acute cases are rare, but mercury toxicity isn’t exactly unheard of: It’s estimated that high levels of mercury in blood can be found in 5 to 10 percent of Americans, says Khubchandani.
How much fish can you eat before mercury poisoning?
We also suggest that anyone who eats 24 ounces or more of fish per week should steer clear of high-mercury choices. The dietary safety limit for methylmercury (a form of mercury that builds up in fish and shellfish) set by the EPA is 0.1 microgram per kilogram of body weight per day.