Scientists from around the world are warning people about the health risks posed by eating mercury contaminated fish. Children and women of childbearing age are being told to be extra careful, since the risks are greatest to sensitive populations. The alarming findings are revealed in “The Madison Declaration on Mercury Pollution” published today in a special issue of the international science journal Ambio. Developed at the Eighth International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant last August in Madison, Wisconsin, the declaration is a synopsis of the latest scientific knowledge about the danger posed by mercury pollution.
Category Archives: Mercury Exposure
Exposure to mercury
Canada Prohibits Sales of High-Mercury Tuna
Following reports that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will not allow sales of high mercury canned tuna into the Canadian market, MPP is calling on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to do the same. “FDA’s own testing indicates that some albacore canned tuna has very high mercury levels comparable to those found in Canada,” said MPP Director Michael Bender. “However, the agency has done nothing to prevent high mercury tuna from ending up in our children’s sandwiches or our dinner plates.” A recent national news report in Canada indicated that 8 out of 60 cans of albacore tuna exceeded the Government of Canada’s guidelines of 0.5 parts per million for mercury. In a follow up review, CFIA determined that 5 of the 60 cans tested (8%) exceeded the standard of 0.5ppm. In response, the CFIA has contacted tuna importers to ensure that incoming shipments of canned albacore tuna are tested. CFIA is also reminding governments of the top exporting countries, including the U.S., and domestic Canadian importers of the importance of meeting Canadian requirements. “According to recent testing, some light canned tuna also has high mercury levels that surpass 0.5 ppm mercury,” said Bender. “Unfortunately, FDA has not followed up on this either.”
Advocates Question Bias in Seafood Consumption Report
As the Institute of Medicine announces the release of a new report on Oct.17, Seafood Choices: Balancing Benefits and Risks, advocates are questioning the process that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) used in selecting committee members. At the beginning of the process, MPP and other advocates wrote a letter expressing concerns over the selection of a consumer representative who had close ties with food producing companies. Advocates also met with IOM, and suggested that the IOM committee was unbalanced, pointing out that all but one member of the Committee was a nutritionist and that the overall emphasis of the Committee work focus on nutritional benefits rather than the risk of exposure to toxins like mercury.
Since then, it has come to light (see pages 11 & 12 of the report) that the one scientist on the committee with experience in reviewing health effects of mercury had published a report, two months before being appointed to the NAS committee, that was funded by the US Tuna Foundation and the National Food Processors Association Research Foundation. In the study for the fishing industry, this scientist concluded that pregnant women who reduced fish consumption instead of substituting low-mercury fish for high-mercury species would be doing more harm than good for their developing fetus. The study appeared in the academic literature, complete with disclosure of its funding sources, months after the Committee’s work got underway.
MPP Testifies Before FDA on Dangers of Mercury Fillings
Federal health advisers to the FDA have rejected a government report that mercury tooth fillings are safe, saying that the conclusion is not reasonable. The panel also stated that a large federal review of data fails to clearly and objectively present the current body of knowledge on the subject. During the two day hearing in early September, dozens of people—including activists, citizens, dentists and dental assistants—complained of ill health effects that they attribuuted to mercury fillings.
Along with others, MPP’s director testified before the 25 Member panel on September 7th. MPP also showed 7 minutes of a documentary from Norway called Mercury Girls which showed historical film of Norwegian dental nurses (assistants) working with amalgam in their bare hands. In 2005 the Norwegian Broadcasting Company examined complaints of dental nurses who had high levels of mercury. The reports of high mercury exposure was shocking. In the study results between the dental nurses and a control group, the results even surprised the scientists. 25% of the dental nurses reported having neurological problems. 36% of the dental nurses had tremors compared to 8% in the control group. 14% of the dental nurses had problems with memory vs the control group having no problems with memory. 18% of the dental nurses were depressed compared to 4% in the control group. 21% of the dental nurses had heart and lung problems, compared to 5 % of the control group. After the dental nurses saw the documentary in Norway and Denmark, they reported that their offspring was affected too, and a second documentary was produced, entitled Mercury Children. Bender’s presentation concluded with recommendations that 1) amalgam placement needs to be banned during pregnancy and 2) dental assistants should be placed on leave during pregnancy.
Advocates Urge Ban on Mercury Fillings in Pregnant Women
As an FDA hearing gets underway regarding the safety of amalgam, advocates are petitioning FDA to ban mercury tooth fillings in pregnant women to protect unborn children from unnecessary exposure to mercury. The groups point out that placement of dental mercury has already been banned in many countries, and amalgam makers warn dentists about putting it in pregnant women and children. “As most everyone knows, the developing fetus is most at risk from mercury.” said Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project. “So why isn’t FDA joining Health Canada and other countries in banning its placement in pregnant women?”
According to the petition, encapsulated dental amalgam arrives at a dentist’s office with skull and cross bones affixed next to the words “POISON, CONTAINS METALLIC MERCURY.” Mercury, the warning states, is a “potentially hazardous substance” with “neurotoxic/nephrotoxic effects“; “a chemical known to the state of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.” The two largest amalgam manufacturers – Kerrr and Dentsply advise dentists away from placing amalgam in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under six, and anyone with kidney disease. Kerr, the largest mercury amalgam manufacturer in the American market, warns dentists:
“The health authorities of the various countries, including Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Norway and Austria have recommended against the placement or removal of an amalgam in certain individuals such as pregnant and nursing women and persons with impaired kidney function.”
Dentsply/Caulk, the second largest mercury amalgam manufacturer, warns:
“Contraindication (N.B.: “Contraindication” is a directive to forbid, not just a “warning.”) “In children 6 and under” and “In expectant mothers.”