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(Image source: Flickr / Mike Saechang)
BY MATT MORENO
Warmer ocean waters are causing mercury to rise to more harmful levels in fish, researchers
say.
New research shows global warming is making the world's oceans warmer, causing fish to
have a higher level of methylmercury in their fatty tissue. (Via Discovery)
The researchers studied killifish in salt marsh pools in Maine and fish in the lab at
various temperatures. They found fish in warmer water ate more but grew less and contained
higher levels of mercury. (Via Nature World News)
The chemical is already considered a danger to humans, but most people do not consume
large enough quantities of it to get poisoning. Still, pregnant women are advised to stay
away from certain fish.
Many of nature's larger fish are listed as the biggest mercury carriers, including sharks,
marlin, king mackerel, tuna, swordfish and others. (Via American Pregnancy Association)
Some scientists are sending a word of caution against the dangers of mercury:
"Mercury can penetrate every cell in the body. It is the second most toxic element to humans,
second only to plutonium, and it will find your weakness." (Via The Weather Channel)
Others say the reward of eating fish is greater than the risk.
"We should not consider fish as a mercury delivery system. That's not what it is. It's
a package of nutrients. We need to look at those nutrients and see it in its entirety."
(Via Prairie Public Broadcasting)
Eating fish has been linked to positive effects like a reduction in risk the of heart disease,
prostate cancer and depression. (Via CNN)