Watching what you eat: Mercury poisoning, a 'fishy' situation
Fish is a popular food for students, but not knowing the facts can lead to a lot of trouble
Jennifer Hernandez
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
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One fish. Two fish. Three fish. Poisoned fish?
Mercury should be on your mind and could be on your fish.
A fish consumption advisory has been in effect since 1996 that was issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as a direct result of an assessment of mercury levels in fresh water waterways in Connecticut in 1995. Even though the advisory has been in effect for over 10 years, that doesn't mean this threat has disappeared.
"It is a bit frightening," said Dale Cialfi, junior, Armonk, N.Y. in response to the presence of mercury levels in fish.
Common mercury exposure stems from direct contact with a broken thermometer or from fish consumption. Mercury enters aquatic species due to air pollution or past chemical spills.
According to Roger Smith, campaign director of Clean Water Action (a campaign focused on preventing mercury exposure by promoting effective health warnings), the primary sources of mercury in Connecticut are the Bridgeport coal power plant, coal power plants upwind of Connecticut and trash incinerators in Connecticut. When products containing mercury are burned at these power plants, it is released into the air and contaminates soil and water.
"It's shocking," said Alessandro Lopes, junior, Bridgeport about the situation.
Rebecca, a SHU student whose name was changed to protect anonymity, knows firsthand the danger that may arise from fish consumption.
After consuming fish she purchased from the Main Street Stop & Shop, Rebecca said, "The following day after I ate the fish, I had extreme nausea and experienced severe vomiting."
Her story is similar to countless food poisoning cases across America and highlights that dangers from fish consumption run the gamut of food poisoning to mercury poisoning.
According to Paulette Thompson, Health and Wellness Manager for the Stop & Shop Consumer Affairs Department, the benefits and restrictions for eating seafood is only available via the Stop & Shop web site.
Mercury should be on your mind and could be on your fish.
A fish consumption advisory has been in effect since 1996 that was issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as a direct result of an assessment of mercury levels in fresh water waterways in Connecticut in 1995. Even though the advisory has been in effect for over 10 years, that doesn't mean this threat has disappeared.
"It is a bit frightening," said Dale Cialfi, junior, Armonk, N.Y. in response to the presence of mercury levels in fish.
Common mercury exposure stems from direct contact with a broken thermometer or from fish consumption. Mercury enters aquatic species due to air pollution or past chemical spills.
According to Roger Smith, campaign director of Clean Water Action (a campaign focused on preventing mercury exposure by promoting effective health warnings), the primary sources of mercury in Connecticut are the Bridgeport coal power plant, coal power plants upwind of Connecticut and trash incinerators in Connecticut. When products containing mercury are burned at these power plants, it is released into the air and contaminates soil and water.
"It's shocking," said Alessandro Lopes, junior, Bridgeport about the situation.
Rebecca, a SHU student whose name was changed to protect anonymity, knows firsthand the danger that may arise from fish consumption.
After consuming fish she purchased from the Main Street Stop & Shop, Rebecca said, "The following day after I ate the fish, I had extreme nausea and experienced severe vomiting."
Her story is similar to countless food poisoning cases across America and highlights that dangers from fish consumption run the gamut of food poisoning to mercury poisoning.
According to Paulette Thompson, Health and Wellness Manager for the Stop & Shop Consumer Affairs Department, the benefits and restrictions for eating seafood is only available via the Stop & Shop web site.
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