Office of Environmental Risk Assessment

FISH IS GOOD…MERCURY IS BAD

Blast Fax for Physicians

April 11, 2002

Do contaminants in fish present health risks to your patients? Fish can be part of a healthy diet.Healthy diets can help prevent heart disease. Fish can be a good source of protein that is low in fat. A recent study found an association between fish consumption and decreased risks of low birth-weight and premature births, but results have not been confirmed.

However, chemicals in some fish may be hazardous to your patients’ health.

Mercury can cross the placenta and affect the neurological development of the fetus.

The RI Department of Health advises women who are pregnant, nursing or planning a pregnancy in the next year to:

• Avoid eating: swordfish, shark, bluefish, and striped bass (contaminants can be found in both fish purchased in markets and recreationally caught in RI waters.)
• Avoid freshwater fish caught in RI freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers (except for stocked trout).

Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises:

• "That seafood can be an important part of a balanced diet for pregnant women and those of childbearing age who may become pregnant. FDA advises these women to select a variety of shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish or farm-raised fish… These women can safely eat 12 ounces per week of cooked fish. A typical serving size of fish is approximately 3 to 6 ounces."

• To follow this advice, HEALTH recommends eating no more than 6 ounces of tuna per week and to choose "light" tuna over "white" tuna.

This advisory also protects consumers from other chemicals, like PCBs, that accumulate in fish.More information about Rhode Island’s advisory is available from:

• HEALTH’s website: www.health.ri.gov/environment/risk/fish.htm
• The Contaminants in Fish Hotline at 401-222-4770
• Robert R. Vanderslice Ph.D., Chief – Environmental Health Risk Assessment 
  @ 401-222-3424 or email BobV@doh.state.ri.us.