Hair tests show 5 states with over 30% having dangerous levels of mercury

[philb]

EPA's limit(RfD) of 1 microgram of mercury per gram of hair was exceeded in 21 percent (126 out of 597) of women of childbearing age tested.
Coal burning power plants are the nation's biggest mercury polluter, releasing 41 percent of the country's industrial mercury pollution. Mercury from these dirty power plants and other sources falls into lakes, streams and oceans, concentrating in fish and shellfish, which are then consumed by people.
"In the samples we analyzed, the greatest single factor influencing mercury exposure as measured by hair test was the frequency of fish consumption," said Dr. Richard Maas, Co-director of EQI and author of the report. "We saw a direct relationship between people’s hair mercury levels and the amount of store-bought fish, canned tuna fish or locally caught fish people consumed."
"People should not have to stop eating fish because they're afraid they'll get poisoned by mercury," said Greenpeace Energy Campaigner Casey Harrell. "We need a President who will cut mercury pollution and move us away from dirty fossil fuels by investing in clean, renewable energy."
Accompanying data tables by State and Metropolitan Statistical Area
October 20, 2004
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/usa/press/reports/accompanying-data-tables-by-st.pdf

Florida 158 tested; 54% had > 0.5 ppm 34% had > 1.0 ppm; average = 1.03 ppm

Alabama 5 tested; 40% had > 1.0 ppm; average = 1.12 ppm

California 148 tested; 62% had > 0.5 ppm; 30.4% had > 1.0 ppm; average = 1.13 ppm

New York 73 tested; 70% had > 0.5 ppm; 45% had > 1.0 ppm; average = 1.29 ppm

Massachussetts 27 tested; 56% had > 0.5 ppm; 33% had > 1.0 ppm; average = 1.03 ppm

New Hampshire 20 tested; 55% had >0.5 ppm; 15% had> 1.0 ppm; average = 1.11 ppm

Total 1449 tested; 41% > 0.5 ppm; 20.3% > 1.0 ppm average = 0.7 ppm

[Erika]

1. So eating our fish is no longer safe

and the next issue faced by the DC Congess will be what?

Football sports?

[philb]

2. Other studies showed similar results & Gulf coast seafood has high mercury

A study by the Mobile Register of people on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida
found similar results; dangerous levels of mercury in people who eat fish as much as
a few times a month;
and also found high levels of mercury in most predator fish from the Gulf of Mexico-
grouper, snapper, tile fish, mackeral, etc.

Also studies demonstrate harm from mercury in fish at levels well below the EPA
fish mercury limit of 1.0 ppm
The Canadian standard is only half as much- 0.5 ppm
but studies have found harm from eating fish often of levels below the Canadian limit
http://www.flcv.com/flhg.html

[philb]

3. studies and clinical tests show hair tests greatly underestimates mercury

body burden and mercury toxicity; though its one of the most useful tests for mercury and other toxic metal exposures


Analytical Research Labs, Phoenix, Ariz 800 528 4067

In our lab, it is most common for initial mercury findings in hair to be miniscule at best. This is presumed due to sequestering of this terrible toxin, until it becomes so pervasive, it can no longer be hidden. Successful therapy to release the metal will result in elevated levels in the hair sample. Autistic children will commonly (est about 65% ) NOT show elevated mercury in the hair unless chemically challenged by an IV. Then they excrete 5-7 times more mercury than non-autistic children.

From a clinical standpoint, if a patient has greater than .3PPM of mercury, I consider him in significant need. We also know that copper is elevated when mercury is elevated, likely due to zinc loss in fighting the mercury toxicity. Copper alone is a significant health hazard today.

BIll Risley,
ARLTMA.COM

other medical labs have found similar results, in millions of tests done such as Doctors Data Lab in Illinois

and similar findings in a peer-reviewed study(low levels of mercury in hair of those most affected and with highest body burden)
A.S. Holmes, M.F. Blaxill and B.E. Haley, Reduced Levels of Mercury in First Baby Haircuts of Autistic Children; International Journal of Toxicology, 2003; www.safeminds.org/