New Exposure Reduction Website Launched!

MPP launched a new website — www.mercuryfactsandfish.org — to counter misinformation on ‘mercury facts’ spread by groups claiming to represent consumers – but in reality often representing special interests. “So-called ‘consumer groups’ purporting to provide ‘mercury facts’ are often engaged in doing just the opposite,” said MPP director Bender.  The web resource, presented by Dr. Edward Groth III,, offers information, including a guide to mercury leves in seafood to minimize exposure.

Tuna Surprise: one-third of mercury exposure from tuna

A new study finds that tuna accounts for over one-third of total methlymercury exposure from seafood consumption which was a key finding in the April 2010 edition of Environmental Research  by Dr. Edward Groth III, an MPP consultant.  “Canned tuna is the number one fish consumed in the U.S. today,” said MPP director Bender“It is also the number one mercury exposure risk.”  The study found that two-thirds of the seafood and nine of the 11 most consumed fish are low in mercury, as one can see in this chart.   In addition, new research appearing in Biology Letters today “…provides insights into healthier consumption, using “….DNA as a tool to uncover patterns of species-specific bioaccumulation.”

Dentsply: Dentists “should consider” Amalgam Alternatives

MPP worked extensively with Boston Common Asset Management, LLC, and other stakeholder representatives, in discussions with Dentsply, a major U.S. manufacturer of amalgam, in withdrawal of a stakeholder resolution, in return for Dentsply acknowledging that: 1) mercury from amalgam are released into the environment, 2) Dentsply offers alternatives to amalgam that dentists should consider using; 3) Dentsply will encourage dentist to reduce mercury releases; and 4) continue dialoguing to better understand amalgam impacts and then determine appropriate actions.