Women warned of mercury’s dangers

PREGNANT women are advised to limit the amount and kind of fish they eat after a survey found that young Irish women have the fifth highest levels of mercury of 13 EU countries tested.

Those living near hospital incinerators, crematoria and coal-fired electricity generation plants and those with mercury dental fillings are also at greater danger of absorbing the metal.

The survey and a comprehensive report, was published by two health groups based in Brussels campaigning for greater awareness of the potential affects on children’s brains of too much mercury. They want a global ban on mercury.

Tests on hair samples from 18 young Irish women showed levels of 0.35ug/g which is less than the limit set by the US Rational Research Council and used by the EU in its evaluations.

But on-going research suggests that there are no safe levels of mercury especially for the foetus and infant.

Dutch paediatrician Gavin ten Tusscher said that exposure to mercury at current environmental levels is now a recognised danger for the next generation.

“Mercury has long been recognised as a major source of toxicity in children causing reduced cognitive functioning, including reduced IQ. However, we are now seeing that even ‘low’ exposure levels can cause damage to the developing brain of the foetus and infant,” he said.

Spanish women had by far the highest levels at 2.81 while the lowest of the EU countries was Bulgaria at .17. The study found that more than one in six women in 21 countries has a level of mercury above the widely accepted US recommended safety dose.

The main source of harmful exposure to mercury is from eating certain types of fish. Generally the larger the fish the greater the amount of mercury they contain. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggests intake of fish like tuna, swordfish, shark, marlin and pike should be limited to no more than one small serving a week of less than 100g and that no more fish should be eaten for the week.

Smaller fish lower down the food chain are safer and contain less mercury though traces of mercury are found in almost all fish.

The campaign says they do not want pregnant women to stop eating fish and seafood because they provide important nutrients.

High doses of mercury can be fatal but now there is growing evidence that even low doses can affect the nervous system and the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems of children and adults.

Legislation to phase out mercury in thermometers except barometers is going through the European Parliament and has to be agreed yet by member states.

Mercury enters the food chain from the ground, rivers and seas where it is deposited from a number of sources. The biggest is from the production of chlorine, followed by coal-fired stations.