Expert: Walter Hintz - 2/12/2006

Question
There's been a big media scare  in recent years re the danger to humans of mercury levels in fish. Is there any truth to this theory at all? I keep on coming across various such stories(such as the salmonella scare in the UK in the 1980s) and they usually turn out to be way overhyped by the media. I just need to be sure.

Thanks
Geoff Purcell

Answer
 It is not just a theory. There has been an increase in the Mercury level in certain fishes, especially the bottom feeders in the Great lakes.  It is also true that ingestion of mercury is a threat to health.  This is especially true with pregnant women.  Mercury is toxic.