Too Much Mercury in Fish

Got Mercury?, a San Francisco-based public awareness group, recently released results of an undercover fish testing operation, in which they found grocery store-bought fish to contain levels of mercury that exceed the federal limit. More than one-third of the 41 grocery stores Got Mercury? purchased fish from had levels of methylmercury in excess of the federal regulation of one part per million. Swordfish was the worst of the fish they tested—one swordfish purchased in Los Angeles had three parts per million. Some experts believe the alarm is “overblown,” however, citing that mercury levels are not harmful until they reach 10 parts per million. Overexposure to mercury has been proven to cause neurological damage in unborn children and adults.