Know Your Fish
A recent EPA study showed half of the lakes and reservoirs in the U.S. have fish contaminated with mercury.
Yummy Salmon Sushi
At a recent family reunion, my brother-in-law mentioned that he eats a can of tuna a day. Although fish has some great health properties—omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of saturated fat—I wondered if he was exposing himself to unhealthy levels of mercury.
Mercury, a toxin particularly harmful to children and pregnant women, is showing up in lakes and reservoirs across the country. A recent EPA study showed half of the water bodies in the U.S. showed high levels of mercury in game fish—trout, bass, etc. Half!
How does mercury end up in Idaho lakes and fish? Half of the pollution in the country is from the burning of fossil fuels. In Idaho, mining activities and industrial operations like cement plants are the main culprits. Find out more about what ICL is doing to protect Idaho from mercury pollution.
Fish is delicious and a great source of protein, but you should be aware of the amount of fish you eat and your potential exposure to toxins. The FDA has good advice for pregnant women and children. You can also find Idaho fish advisories from the Department of Health and Welfare, including a Safe Fish Eating Guide.
Sara Cohn, Community Conservation Associate
