New Yorkers warned on mercury in fish

Jul 24 2007

The results of a new survey have revealed that one in four New Yorkers have elevated levels of mercury in their blood which are higher than others both locally and nationally.

This is apparently related to the amount and type of fish eaten by New Yorkers.

The health department survey found that the rates were higher among more affluent residents compared to those in lower income groups and were particularly high among Asians, who eat more fish.

The authorities say that while the mercury levels found in New Yorkers is not a risk for most adults, for children under 6 years old and pregnant and breast-feeding women, fish with high mercury contents should be avoided due to concerns that it increases the risk of cognitive problems in children.

Daniel Kass, the assistant commissioner for environmental surveillance and policy at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, says there are times in life when it is best to keep mercury levels down.

The health department has produced a brochure informing people about the issue, explains which types of fish have the lowest mercury counts and can be eaten more often, and which should be eaten rarely or not at all.

The brochure explains that while pregnant women can eat tilapia, herring or whiting up to five times per week because those fish are very low in mercury, they should not eat Chilean sea bass, swordfish or fresh tuna, which are too high in mercury.

The city's health department says the mercury information came as a result of a Health and Nutrition Examination Survey carried out in 2004 which was modeled on one done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The survey found that New Yorkers in the highest income bracket had higher mercury levels than those in the lowest income group with foreign-born Chinese women top of the poll.

Experts say fish does have health benefits and it is easy to maintain a healthy fish diet without subjecting the body to too much mercury.

The health department says it is possible that other cities have similarly high levels, or higher ones, but haven't yet documented them and also advises the public to avoid fish caught in the East or Hudson rivers or in New York Harbor because they may have other contaminants.

The brochure is available through the city's 311 telephone information hot line, and comes in English, Spanish and Chinese.