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Government agencies warn some women not to eat certain fish

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Food and Drug Administration on Friday advised women who are pregnant or might become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children not to eat fish that may contain high levels of a form of mercury called methylmercury.

The fish in question are shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. They all have the potential to contain high levels of methylmercury that may harm an unborn baby's developing nervous system that can affect their ability to learn.

These are larger fish that feed on smaller fish accumulating the high levels of methyl mercury.

The FDA said women affected by its advisory can eat other fish like shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish or farm-raised fish. A typical serving size of fish is from 3 to 6 ounces. The agency said these women can safely eat 12 ounces of cooked fish per week.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a separate warning Friday warning the same women to avoid fish caught in freshwater.

Freshwater fish from contaminated waters have been shown to have particularly high levels of methylmercury, posing potential risks for recreational anglers and people who regularly fish for food.

The EPA's warning stems from a report this past summer from the National Academy of Sciences that said the greatest threat from mercury and waterways is to pregnant women and women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children who eat fish.

EPA recommendations are slightly lower than the FDA. They say those at risk should limit their consumption to one, six-ounce meal per week.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is present throughout the environment and in plants and animals. Most mercury pollution is released into the air. It falls either into water or onto land where it is washed into the water. Bacteria in the water cause chemical changes that turn it into the toxic form of methylmercury. Methylmercury accumulates in fish and because larger fish eat the smaller fish they usually have higher amounts.

The EPA said it is working with the states to reduce mercury levels, but it will take years.



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