You love the taste of fish, but you worry about the mercury. You’ve read that mercury stays in the body for 60 days, but you’re not sure if that’s from the date of ingestion or if that’s cumulative. You also don’t know if all fish have mercury or if some have more than others. You hope to find out how long mercury stays in the body from fish so that you can make the best decision for your health.
So, how long does mercury stay in the body from fish?
Mercury is a heavy metal that can accumulate in our bodies, and it takes time for our bodies to eliminate it. Fish is one of the main sources of mercury exposure, so it’s important to be aware of how long it takes our bodies to eliminate mercury from fish consumption.
It takes our bodies about 60 days to eliminate half of the mercury ingested, so fish with higher mercury concentrations should be eaten less frequently. The health effects of eating fish contaminated with PCBs have been widely studied in animals and humans. Some of the health effects associated with PCB exposure include cancer, liver damage, and reproductive and developmental problems.
Let’s dig into it and see what’s inside.
KEY TAKEAWAY:
- Exposure to mercury can cause various health problems, depending on the type of exposure and the amount of mercury involved. There is no safe level of mercury exposure, so it is important to avoid exposure to this heavy metal as much as possible.
- You can reduce your mercury exposure by eating small fish, avoiding fish high in mercury, breastfeeding less, and choosing mercury-free products. If you have mercury poisoning, your doctor may recommend chelation therapy.
- The most common symptoms of mercury poisoning are tremors, emotional changes, insomnia, impaired speech and hearing, and sudden vision changes. In severe cases, mercury poisoning can be fatal.
- Mercury is used in industry for the production of chlorine gas and caustic soda, and in thermometers, barometers, batteries, and electrical switches. However, exposure to mercury can occur in these industries if workers do not take precautions, such as wearing personal protective equipment. In addition, mercury can be released into the environment from coal-fired power plants and other industrial facilities.
- Mercury pollution has far-reaching environmental effects, including mercury contamination of fish which is then consumed by humans. Mercury exposure can cause a wide range of symptoms in humans, including damage to the kidneys and nervous system.
Does Mercury From Fish Accumulate In The Body?
Yes, mercury from fish can accumulate in the body over time if you regularly eat fish that are high in methylmercury. Methylmercury is removed from the body naturally, but it may take over a year for the levels to drop significantly.
How Much Fish Can You Eat Before Mercury Poisoning?
The EPA’s dietary safety limit for methylmercury is 0.1 microgram per kilogram of body weight per day. This means that if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kg), you should not eat more than 6.8 micrograms of methylmercury per day.
According to the EPA, the following fish have low levels of mercury:
– Anchovies – Catfish – Cod – Crab – Crawfish – Croaker – Flounder – Haddock – Hake – Herring – Mackerel (North Atlantic and chub) – Mullet – Oysters – Plaice – Pollock – Salmon (canned, fresh, or frozen) – Sardines – Scallops – Shrimp – Sole – Squid (calamari) – Tilapia – Trout (freshwater) – Whitefish – Whiting
If you eat 24 ounces or more of fish per week, you should avoid fish with high levels of mercury, such as:
– Shark – Swordfish – Tilefish – King mackerel – Marlin
– Orange roughy – Bigeye tuna – Ahi tuna (also called yellowfin tuna)
– Albacore tuna (also called longfin tuna) – Bluefin tuna
Can You Get Mercury Poisoning From Eating Fish Everyday?
No, you cannot get mercury poisoning from eating fish everyday. Mercury toxicity only occurs when someone eats large amounts of fish (five or more times per week) or certain types of fish that are high in mercury. If you eat fish moderate amounts (one to two servings per week), there is no need to worry about mercury poisoning. To reduce your mercury intake, simply eat a variety of seafood and avoid fish that are high in mercury.
How Long Does It Take For Mercury To Go Away?
The time it takes for mercury to leave the body depends on the type of mercury exposure. A blood test can indicate exposure to mercury in the last few days, but blood levels of certain types of mercury decrease rapidly within three to five days. Urine tests can measure mercury levels over a period of several months, and these levels typically decrease over time.
What Fish Have Been Found To Have High Mercury Levels?
Some of the fish that have been found to have high mercury levels include shark, orange roughy, swordfish, and ling.
What Are Some Low Mercury Fish To Eat?
Some low mercury fish to eat include salmon, shrimp, and cod. Pregnant women and young children should limit their fish intake to avoid mercury exposure.
How Much Mercury Is Toxic?
Mercury is toxic at levels above 100 ng/mL.
Final Word
So there you have it! Now you know how long mercury stays in the body from fish, and what the health effects are. This is important information to keep in mind when making decisions about what fish to eat. Thanks for reading!
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