Mercury in Commercial Fish: Optimizing Individual Choices to Reduce Risk
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional market survey graded by design analogy for non-clinical environmental data.
OpenAlex W2088913460 · doi:10.1289/ehp.7315
What was done
Researchers sampled commercial seafood from supermarkets and specialty fish markets across different regions and economic neighborhoods in New Jersey. They measured total mercury levels in three common fish species (tuna, flounder, and bluefish) to compare against historical FDA national data (1990–1992) and to assess variation by store type, neighborhood income, and region. They also analyzed mercury concentrations and market availability for six additional fish species and two shellfish species from central New Jersey markets.
What was found
Tuna had the highest mercury concentrations and flounder the lowest. No significant differences in mercury were observed based on store type or neighborhood economic level, though flounder from Jersey shore markets had higher mercury levels than flounder from other markets. Shrimp and scallops had total mercury levels < 0.02 ppm wet weight, with large shrimp having significantly lower levels than small shrimp. Mercury concentrations in New Jersey samples of tuna, sea bass, croaker, whiting, scallops, and shrimp exceeded national FDA benchmark values. Fish available in > 50% of markets included flounder, snapper, bluefish, and tuna. Whiting, porgy, croaker, and bluefish all had average mercury levels < 0.3 ppm wet weight, with flounder demonstrating the optimal balance of high availability, lower price, and low mercury.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that mercury levels in commercially purchased fish can exceed older national averages, highlighting the utility of localized market monitoring to help consumers select low-mercury, affordable seafood.
Limits
The abstract does not state sample sizes (number of fish or stores sampled), exact numerical mercury concentrations, or measures of variance for most species. Findings from New Jersey markets may not generalize to other geographic areas, and actual consumer intake or biological exposure was not measured.
Cited by
- contradicts EPA guidelines state that people should never eat fish from any lake or river in America due to mercury contamination.