Heav y Me tals 339
Exposure to mercury in men can lead to loss of ability to have sex, and sterility.
Exposure to mercury in women can lead to failure to have monthly bleeding and
other problems in having babies.
In pregnant women, even small amounts of mercury can cause their babies to
have developmental problems (see pages 322 to 324).
Mercury in fish
Methyl mercury collects in the bodies
of fish, animals, and people.
Fish that live in polluted water
can be dangerous to eat, even
though the water itself may not be
Because larger fish and animals usually
harmful to bathe or swim in.
Small amounts of mercury can pass
eat many smaller ones, the mercury
builds up in their bodies.
through the body without causing harm. If we stop eating food that contains
mercury, our bodies begin to get rid of the mercury that has collected. But
when we take in more mercury than our bodies can get rid of, mercury causes
serious health problems.
Fish are good food, full of protein. Fish are sometimes called “brain food”
because they have fats that are good for the brain. They are part of traditional
diets for many people. But if they are caught in waters where mines drain or
where mercury has been dumped, they may have unsafe amounts of mercury.
Fish and food safety
You cannot tell if a fish contains mercury by looking at it. Because mercury
is stored in the flesh of the fish, there is no special way to clean or cook fish
that will prevent mercury exposure. Some types of fish are likely to have less
mercury in them, due to their feeding habits or life histories, and are safer for
people to eat. If you live in a mine-drainage area,
it is more dangerous to eat:
• larger, older fish.
• bottom-feeding fish, such as catfish and carp.
• only fish as your main food.
• fish organs, especially the liver.
it is safer to eat:
• smaller, younger fish and fish that feed on insects.
• less fish. Meat, chicken, rice with lentils or beans, eggs, milk, and cheese
are other good sources of protein.
• fish mixed with foods like rice or potatoes. This will not reduce the
amount of mercury in the fish, but it will reduce the amount of fish you
eat at your meal.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012