For decades, mercury has been a number one substance used in the medical sector, cosmetics, and hatmaking sector among other sectors. Less was its effect known to the scientists until now! The effects of mercury include;
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Poisons the kidneys
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Damages the nervous system
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Exposure is extremely dangerous to children aged below 6
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Can interfere with brain development
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It is a risk factor to childbearing women
According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, an estimation of 75, 000 babies are born with a greater risk of learning disabilities because their mothers were exposed to excess mercury during pregnancy. As per NRDC, the number of babies goes as high as 265, 000, therefore, it’s time to go back to the drawing table!
Fish as the main food with mercury levels
A variety of fish types have mercury, but their mercury levels differ. In the real sense, fish may be one of the most desired dishes by pregnant women and it has been for long recommended for every pregnant woman. Eating fish shouldn’t pose any threat, but mind the spices, type and its safety
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Contaminated fish
Consuming (eating) fish is the main mercury exposure in various countries. However, mercury is also released into the air from the coal-burning power plants and factories. The type of pollution travels halfway around the world before settling in water bodies where it is absorbed or ingested by small living organisms and from there, it invades the food sector. Fish with higher mercury concentrations include predatory fish like;
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Tuna
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Sharks
Cooking contaminated fish or peeling off the skin can’t limit mercury exposure but you can do the following;
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Cut your Tuna consumption
Lower tuna servings for your children and at least opt for skipjack tuna and a 130-pound woman can eat only two six-ounce cans of light tuna a week
Childbearing women must only consume four ounces of albacore tuna per week while your children should avoid it.
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Opt for safer Sushi choices
The common sushi fish is normally the predator one, therefore, opt for other types in case you are pregnant, nursing, planning on having a family or suffering from infertility. Safer fish to eat include;
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Salmon
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Fish
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Eel
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Crab
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Clam
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Sardines
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Scallops
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Anchovies
Check Your Mercury Levels
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You can visit a doctor for a blood mercury test in case concerned about your mercury levels.
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Try to live in safer zones to prevent the inhalation and exposure to mercury
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Women with a higher mercury level may choose to postpone on getting pregnant until those levels drop since it can result in a miscarriage or put your baby’s life at risk
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Avoid silver-colored dental fillings in case you are pregnant
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Handle mercury thermometers with more caution
NOTE;
It may take a whole year for the consumed mercury to exit your body
Mercury in most vaccines
A few decades back, NRDC suggested for the removal of thimerosal, a preservative that contains ethyl mercury from children’s vaccines to limit mercury exposure
The flu vaccine is the only vaccine that still contains this preservative, but parents can request for another type with no thimerosal.