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Re: Fish, mercury, and pregnant womenFrom: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com)Tue Jan 16 09:15:55 2001
Now it's in Reuters - Pregnant women in US advised not to eat certain types of seafood Last Updated: 2001-01-15 9:30:24 EST (Reuters Health) By Charles Abbott WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pregnant women should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish, because these fish may contain enough methylmercury to damage the fetus's nervous system, the US Food and Drug Administration said Friday. Young children, nursing mothers and women who may become pregnant should avoid these types of seafood as well, the FDA said in a consumer advisory. A National Academy of Sciences report issued last summer estimated that up to 60,000 children may be born in the US each year with neurologic problems due to exposure to methylmercury in utero (see Reuters Health report, July 12). Even so, seafood, a naturally low-fat source of protein, can be an important part of a balanced diet for pregnant women and women who may become pregnant, the FDA said. "You can safely eat 12 ounces per week of cooked fish," the FDA advisory stated. "You can choose shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish or farm-raised fish--just pick a variety of different species." Consumer groups wanted fresh tuna, used in sushi or served as tuna steak, added to the warning list as well. "We shouldn't be ignoring the risk there," said Michael Bender of the Mercury Policy Project. "The question is why fresh tuna steak were not included on the list, because they can also pose a risk," said Caroline Smith DeWaal of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Nearly all fish contain trace amounts of methylmercury, but longer-living, larger fish that feed on other fish, such as shark or swordfish, accumulate the highest amounts and pose the largest threat to people who eat them regularly. In a related announcement, the Environmental Protection Agency said that pregnant women, women who might become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children should eat only one meal per week of freshwater fish caught by family members or friends. The agency said that a meal for adults should be 6 ounces of cooked fish and for children, 2 ounces. The EPA added that consumers should check with their state or local health departments for specific advice about local waters. Six states--Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont--have issued warnings on methylmercury in fish. Minnesota, for example, advises pregnant or nursing women against eating swordfish or shark while saying that up to 7 ounces per week of canned tuna is safe if no other fish containing mercury is eaten. and tell em Charlie sent ya.
art
At Mon, 15 Jan 2001, ATB28@aol.com wrote:
>
-- art fougner, md
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