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"The typical U.S. consumer eating a wide variety of fish from restaurants and grocery stores is not in danger of consuming harmful levels of fish and is not advised to limit fish consumption." U.S. EPA, January 30, 2004
Straight Answers About Electric Utilities and Mercury Government Agencies Differ on a Reference Dose for Mercury Related Sites American Medical Association (AMA) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Electric Power Research Institute Sea Turtle Restoration Project Mercury Calculator U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Reference Dose for Methylmercury What you need to know about mercury in fish and shellfish U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Consumer Advisory for Methylmercury in Commercial Seafood Chart on mercury levels in specific types of fish and seafood |
For most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. 1 However, just to be safe, these government agencies recently advised women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and to eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Specifically, the FDA and EPA warn pregnant and nursing women and young children to avoid shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel because these types of larger fish have higher levels of mercury. The agencies agree that women and young children can eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals a week) of fish that are lower in mercury. Five of the most commonly eaten fish that have low mercury levels are shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, and canned light tuna. Fish sticks and fast food fish sandwiches also are commonly made from fish that are low in mercury. Albacore or "white" tuna has more mercury than canned
light tuna. The FDA and EPA say that women and young children may
eat up to 6 ounces (1 average meal) of albacore tuna or tuna steak
per week.
What is the current reference dose for mercury? Is it safe for me to eat fish? How do states determine fish advisories? What is the current reference dose for mercury?A reference dose (RfD) is the estimated daily dose of a substance that can be consumed safely over a lifetime, even for sensitive populations. In 2001, EPA validated the current RfD for mercury of 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day that was established in 1996. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have recommended regulatory levels that are significantly less stringent than EPA’s reference dose. FDA has established an acceptable daily intake for mercury of 0.4 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day. ATSDR has stated that "daily intake of methylmercury at a level of 0.3 micrograms per kilogram [of] body weight per day for extended periods up to a lifetime presents no risk of adverse health outcomes in even the most sensitive human populations (pregnant women, developing fetuses, and young children)."2 In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) revised its recommendation for safe intake levels for mercury in food to 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per week. In fact, the reference dose for mercury adopted by WHO is more than two times greater, and ATSDR’s is three times greater, than EPA’s reference dose. EPA’s reference dose is the lowest due to the inclusion of an extremely conservative safety factor. Is it safe for me to eat fish?The American Medical Association (AMA) acknowledges that "fish is part of a nutritious diet and is a particularly good source of high-quality protein and essential fatty acids as well as being low in saturated fat."3 AMA also states that "because of the wide variations in the concentrations of mercury in fish and shellfish, it is possible to have the nutritional benefits of moderate fish consumption and avoid fish high in mercury."4 Both EPA and FDA note that fish and shellfish can be important parts of a healthy and balanced diet; are good sources of high-quality protein and other nutrients; and are low in fat. The agencies recommend that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children modify the amount and type of fish they consume. EPA and FDA also note that following their fish consumption guidelines will give consumers the positive benefits of eating fish while avoiding any problems from mercury in fish.5 The American Heart Association (AHA) states that "consumers need to be aware of both the benefits and risks of fish consumption for their particular stage of life."6 AHA recommends consuming a wide variety of fish species within the guidelines set by EPA and FDA as the best approach to both minimizing risks and increasing benefits of eating fish. In reality, most Americans eat very little fish. Of those who do eat fish, the weekly average consumption is about one-quarter pound. Nearly all of this fish is store-bought ocean fish. On average, less than 10 percent of fish eaten in the U.S. comes from U.S. freshwater sources.7 How do states determine fish advisories?States often issue fish advisories to inform the public about potential risks associated with eating fish from a particular body of water. If high concentrations of chemicals, such as mercury, are found in local fish, then a state may issue a consumption advisory for the general population, including recreational and subsistence fishers, as well as for sensitive subpopulations (such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children). A consumption advisory may include recommendations to limit or avoid eating certain fish species caught from specific waterbodies or, in some cases, from specific waterbody types (e.g., all lakes). States also may issue notices of statewide advisories and safe eating guidelines. A statewide advisory is issued to inform the public of the potential human health risks from possible widespread chemical contamination of certain fish species or of species from certain types of waterbodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, and/or coastal waters) within the state. An advisory for each waterbody name or type of waterbody may be listed as one advisory regardless of the number of fish species affected or the number of chemical contaminants detected. In contrast, a safe eating guideline is issued by states to inform the public that fish from specific waterbodies have been tested for chemical contaminants, and the results have shown that specific species of fish from these waters are safe to eat without consumption restrictions. For a current list of state fish advisories, see: www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/states.htm
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Nearly all fish and shellfish contain trace amounts of 
