Mercury in fish is a serious public-health concern. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 12 women of childbearing age have elevated levels of this neurotoxin, which can cause brain and nervous-system damage in fetuses and young children.

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advise all consumers, and particularly women of child-bearing age and young children, to make conscious choices about which and how much fish and shellfish to eat. Quality-control labeling for fish at the market is not yet a reality, and over a million Ohioans themselves fish. The problem is particularly pro-nounced for most low-income and minority communities that fish for food.

TIPS
A precautionary approach to fish consumption is imperative. Do not stop eating fish – it is high in protein and essential nutrients. Become informed in order to make the right choices.
•  FDA advises not to eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.
•  FDA advises to eat no more than 12 ounces (two meals per week) of shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon,     pollock or catfish.
•  Contact FDA for more information on mercury risks from fish and shellfish at 1-888-safefood.
•  The State of Ohio has issued an advisory to limit sport-fish consumption from any water body in the state to     once a week. For information about locally caught fish, call 1-800-755-4769.
•  The State of Ohio maintains a list of rivers and lakes that contain fish that should not be consumed more than     two times per month. It is posted on the Ohio EPA website at www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/fishadvisory. Hard     copies also are distributed with fishing licenses.

SOURCES
Ohio ranks third in the nation for power plant emissions of mercury: 67% from coal-fired power plants, 16% from Chlor-Alkali plants, 6% from incinerators and other industries, and the rest from other small sources. All of Ohio's coal-fired power plants are grandfathered and protected under the Clean Air Act, meaning that there is no requirement for them to clean up their emissions. Mercury emissions in the air enter local bodies of water and sub-sequently the fish through rain. A 2003 rain sampling study conducted by Environmental Health Watch in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland revealed average mercury levels were eight times higher than what the state allows.

RESOURCES
Earth Day Coalition: www.earthdaycoalition.org
Food and Drug Administration: www.cfsan.fda.gov
EPA's fish advisory website: www.epa.gov/ost/fish
U.S. EPA Regional Office: www.epa.gov/region5/air/mercury

Anjali Mathur is the Director of Sustainable Cleveland Partnership for Earth Day Coalition. For more information, call (216) 281-6468 or visit www.earthdaycoalition.org.