Methyl-Mercury Poisoning
How does Mercury pollution affect me?
Causes
Ingestion of methyl-mercury, usually through larger fish
Unborn babies and infants are especially susceptible
Symptoms
Damage to brain and central nervous system
Impaired vision, hearing and speech
Lack of coordination
Skin discoloration and peeling
Profuse sweating
High blood pressure
Loss of hair, teeth, and nails
Kidney disfunction
North-Eastern Minnesota Specific Issues:
The lakes in the northeast are naturally less productive and are more acidic due to extensive wetlands in the watersheds.
These characteristics, along with the amount of exposed bedrock and other contributing factors, allow mercury to enter the food web at a faster pace.
Arrowhead Region walleye contain 0.6 parts per million (ppm) of methylmercury versus 0.4 ppm in a 16-inch walleye from lakes elsewhere in the state.
Minnesota is one of 11 states to have a mercury advisory.
Comments
So does that mean that the water where these walleye are caught also has a .6 ppm concentration of mercury? I'm pretty sure it is a compounding issue that moves up the food chain. Could you clarify that and if I am right what concentration is there in the lakes with walleye with the .6 ppm concentration? What levels have little to no effect on humans? Is there any safe level for children?
Posted by: Jason George | April 25, 2008 12:40 PM
Jason - The mercury will bioaccumulate. It will be 100 to 10000 times higher concentration in fish than in the water, depending on what the fish eats (plants or other fish). The top predators and older fish will have the highest concentrations.
There is no known level of mercury required for humans. All exposure appears to be harmful, and children are more sensitive. Scary stuff.
Posted by: Steve Sternberg | May 2, 2008 8:47 AM