I was watching the tube tonight and ran across the tail end of a program on PBS about fish consumption and the dangers of mercury poisoning. It’s interesting to note it was broadcast in Hmong, but I followed along with the English subtitles. 
Anyways, it got me thinking about mercury and how much it would take to make someone sick. I did an internet search and found a website that I thought was kind of interesting. Maybe some of you will enjoy it. Try out the mercury calculator.
25 pounds for me, if i ate catfish for each dinner of the week thats over 3 pounds each meal. Looks like i don’t have much to worry about. If the pcb levels are similar to the mercury guidelines im totally safe, I probably am.
41 lbs. a week for me, guess I’m safe becuse I don’t think I could eat just fish for a week 
, 
let alone catch that much.
Ed
There are a lot more variables to the information than that site mentions. Especially since in MN and WI the mercury levels are much higher than most of the U.S. Larger and older predator fish also have a MUCH higher concentration of mercury.
Mercury poisoning is possible around here if you exceed the WI DNR’s advisory and eat more predator fish than listed. I know of at least two people who have experienced mercury poisoning due to eating too many walleye per week.
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There are a lot more variables to the information than that site mentions.
Any info or details you have I’m interested in hearing, Osprey007. I would like to figure out this mercury thing or at least start to understand it a little better. I always wondered if the recommended intake for fish was really accurate or if it’s just plain overly restrictive. Is there a website or something we can check to see the mercury levels of fish in different states? Please share with us if you have the time. 
The WI DNR consumption guidelines are accurate. WI did a study about two years ago on mercury contamination in people who fished and ate the fish. For the few people in the study I know that ate N times the consumption guidelines in freshly caught fish, they all had N times the amount of mercury above the recommended level.
All the above people had the symptoms listed below. From the EPA Mercury website:
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Symptoms of methylmercury poisoning may include; impairment of the peripheral vision; disturbances in sensations (“pins and needles” feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth); lack of coordination of movements; impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and muscle weakness. People concerned about their exposure to methylmercury should consult their physician.
These people were wondering why they were encountering they symptoms and were very surprised to find it was directly related to their fish consumption. After 4 months of eating no fish, all the symptoms disappeared. They now follow the guidelines and have not had any of the symptoms reappear.
Edit: I forgot to note that the levels at which these symptoms started appearing were around 2-3 times the recommended level. It could have been effecting the body in some other manner before reaching these limits.
Edit: grammer fix
The EPA website contains a lot of information on mercury. There are older studies (late 90’s) that contain maps showing the mercury levels in different areas of the U.S.
Unfortunately I could not find the map of the coal plants and where the mercury from them is deposited. From what I remember, it was heaviest in a line North/South between and including the WI/MN states and tapering off in states South of WI/MN. But then again, I don’t have that specific information at hand.
Overall, I would recommend following the consumption guidelines over the course of a year.
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After 4 months of eating no fish, all the symptoms disappeared. They now follow the guidelines and have not have any of the symptoms reappear.
I thought the whole point of Mercury was that it did not leave the body, ever. How could the symptoms leave, if the mercury is still there? 
Not entirely true. The body can slowly get rid of small amounts of it over time. Normally the level stays steady at a certain point due to natural continued consumption or exposure. Otherwise we’d die or have serious problems from it with the amounts we are exposed in our lifetimes.
So what your saying is that instead of Mercury…we should be running Yamaha’s?
Sorry…back to my corner…again.
I like Yamaha or Evinrude better, but that’s off topic. Having a slow day at the shop today Brian?
Leave it to Briank to keep things interesting!
Lightening and pouring out…
…it was either that post or I was going to take a picture of my new cabin cleaning outfit…for warm weather…
OK…back on topic…as I do find it interesting. Has anyone studied PCB’s and fish?
Thanks for the info, Osprey. I later found out the fishscam website is supported by the food industry. Of course they want us to eat more fish…
Brian, I dont know much about PCBs but I read somewhere they are slowly declining in fish because they are not produced as much industrially.
Briank, Did you not ask for rain today ? Do you want some more today say around 2:37 pm ?
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