Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
John Hollenhorst ReportingResults are in from a scientific study of hair, and the data suggests you should watch what you eat. Hair samples taken in Utah and across the nation show a strong link between toxic mercury and seafood.
The link between ocean fish and toxic mercury has been established before. The latest study underlines the concern, especially for women of child-bearing age. Utah, though, looks slightly better off than other places.
From coast to coast, 6,600 people contributed hair samples; 139 Utahns volunteered their hair. Scientists studied it for toxic mercury at the University of North Carolina. The results: 23% of volunteers exceeded health standards for mercury. In Utah just 15% were unhealthy.
Tim Wagner of the Sierra Club outlined the data to Utah's recently created Mercury Working Group.
Tim Wagner, The Sierra Club: "It is a concern. It is a problem and we need to take steps to address it."
Even the study's lead scientist says it might be slightly skewed above national averages because it was done with volunteers instead of with random selection. Utah officials want to look at it more closely.
Walt Baker: "It's very difficult to draw conclusions right now, based on the limited amount of data that we've got available."
The data shows a strong relationship to seafood. Volunteers who ate at least eight servings of fish each month averaged very close to the health limits. Those who ate no fish had almost zero mercury.
Tim Wagner: "Maybe we aren't eating as much seafood in Utah as other states, say on the west coast and the east coast. The study clearly shows the Midwest to be dramatically lower than the east coast or west coast."
The study showed no geographic link to coal-fired power plants, the prime suspect in global mercury contamination.
The big worry is that among women of childbearing age, 20% were above the health standard. In Utah that number was 10%. Mercury can lead to neurological damage in their children.
Walt Baker, Utah Water Quality Director: "And so we need to exercise caution and good judgment in the amount of fish that we take, particularly in some species of fish."
You'll find some links at the top right of this story with more information and tips on what kind of fish to avoid.
