Mercury Blood Levels High In New Yorkers

One in four adults in New York City have elevated levels of toxic mercury in their blood -- most likely due to eating a lot of fish, according to a new survey by the city's Department of Health.

Asian and higher-income New Yorkers eat more fish, and have higher average mercury levels, than others both locally and nationally, according to the Health Department. "These mercury levels pose little if any health risk for most adults, but may increase the risk of cognitive delays for children whose mothers had very high mercury levels during pregnancy," according to the department.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element found at much higher levels because burning coal and certain other industrial processes releases it into the atmosphere. It rains down -- much like acid rain -- and can convert to a toxic form and accumulate in fish in lakes and reservoirs.

Health advisories recommend against eating many kinds of fish for this reason, and women who are or may become pregnant, and children under the age of 15 should pay close attention to their fish intake to avoid over-exposure. Exposure to too much mercury has subtle but potentially profound effects -- lowered IQ, for instance.

The survey is said to be the first of its kind for a U.S. city, so some comparisons are hard to make, but there were some striking conclusions, relative to similar national surveys:

• Among women 20-49 years old in New York City, the average blood mercury level is three times that of similarly-aged women nationally.
• Approximately one quarter of New York City women in this age group have a blood mercury level at or above 5 micrograms per liter, the New York State reportable level.
• People who eat fish three or fewer times each week have, on average, levels of mercury below the reportable level, while average readings exceed the reportable level among those who eat fish four or more times.
• Higher-income New Yorkers have higher mercury levels.
• Average blood mercury levels are considerably higher among New York City Asian women, and 45% have blood mercury levels at or above the State reportable level.
• Among Asians, foreign-born Chinese women have particularly high levels compared to the rest of New York City, with two in three showing mercury at or above the reportable level.
• The city health department didn't want consumers to take the results as evidence they should stop eating fish. “For most people, frequent fish consumption is not a concern,” said Daniel Kass, the Health Department''s Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Surveillance and Policy. “Fish is a good source of protein and heart-healthy fats, and it''s low in calories and unhealthy fats.”

Mothers who are pregnant or breast feeding, particularly, should avoid follow these steps:

1. Choose fish lower in mercury. (See list below.)
2. Don''t eat fish that are high in mercury.
3. Eat fewer, or smaller, servings of fish.
4. Choose smaller fish. (Fish lower on the food chain tend to have less mercury.)
5. Eat a variety of fish.

High-mercury fish include:

• Chilean sea bass
• grouper
• king mackerel
• marlin
• orange roughy
• shark
• swordfish
• tilefish
• tuna steaks and sushi-grade tuna

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