Fish that may contain mercury
When mercury builds up to toxic levels in the human body, it can cause permanent neurological damage. If you are pregnant, mercury is dangerous to your developing fetus and later to your breast-feeding baby. A fetus exposed to mercury during pregnancy is especially likely to suffer mild to severe nervous system damage. Similarly, young children who eat a lot of fish containing mercury can suffer permanent brain damage.
Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and also as a result of industrial pollution. It is in our water, air, soil, and food. Fish are the most common source of mercury in the human diet. You can best protect your child from mercury exposure by avoiding high-mercury fish before and during pregnancy and when breast-feeding and choosing foods for your young child.
Health Canada advises you only eat a certain amount of fish most likely to have high levels of mercury. This includes escolar, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, and fresh or frozen tuna. Most people should not eat more than 150 g (5.3 oz) of high-mercury fish each week. But the following people should limit how much high-mercury fish they eat each month to:1
- 150 g (5.3 oz) or less for nursing mothers or women who are or may become pregnant.
- 125 g (4.4 oz) or less for children 5 to 11 years of age.
- 75 g (2.7 oz) or less for children 1 to 4 years of age.
Limit how much canned albacore tuna you eat each week to:2
- 300 g (10.6 oz) or less for nursing mothers or women who are or may become pregnant.
- 150 g (5.3 oz) or less for children 5 to 11 years of age.
- 75 g (2.7 oz) for children 1 to 4 years of age.
Do eat fish or shellfish that are known for their health benefits and low mercury risk. Common choices include shrimp, canned light tuna, wild salmon, pollack, cod, sole, mussels, and scallops. Fish sticks commonly prepared for children are typically made from low-mercury fish.
Before eating locally caught fish, check with your local fishing or provincial authorities for information about water and fish contamination. Also check the Environment Canada Web site for links to provincial and territorial mercury advisory updates at www.ec.gc.ca/MERCURY/EN/index.cfm.
Mercury will slowly leave the body over time in the urine, feces, and breast milk. If you are concerned about your own or your child's mercury level, talk to your health professional or local health unit about testing.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: January 23, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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