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"Fish are a great source for
protein and minerals; they are also low in saturated fat and can
be a source of omega-3 fatty acids -- essential for good health --
but in a number of water bodies in Illinois and Indiana, fish can
be contaminated with pollutants. Exposure to low levels of these
contaminants may have long-lasting health effects," said Leslie
Dorworth, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant aquatic ecology specialist.
Mercury can damage the
nervous system, particularly in developing children. Low amounts
of mercury may lead to learning deficits. PCBs have also been
linked to learning deficits and behavioral problems in children.
A fish consumption advisory
will tell you which contaminants are of concern for a particular
water body, along with whether available fish species pose a risk,
depending on their sizes. These recommendations are based
primarily on protecting women of childbearing age, pregnant women,
fetuses, nursing mothers and children younger than 15 years of
age.
"You can still get the
benefits of eating fish by choosing safer types of fish and safer
ways to prepare fish, and by carefully choosing how often you eat
fish," said Dorworth.
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Always remember to eat a
variety of fish, keeping the following in mind: Fatty fish tend to
accumulate PCBs; fish that eat other fish, such as largemouth
bass, also build up contaminants; larger and older fish tend to
build up contaminants in their bodies; and fish that feed along
the water's bottom ingest more contaminants than those swimming in
the water column.
"PCBs are stored in the fat
of fish, whereas mercury is stored in the muscle," said Dorworth.
"This means you can reduce the level of PCBs, but not mercury, by
properly cleaning, skinning and trimming your catch, as well as
baking or broiling the fish on an elevated rack that allows fats
to drain to the pan below. After cooking, discard all liquids."
To find out how often it is
safe to eat a particular species, fish consumption advisories are
the key. "For many rivers and lakes throughout Illinois and
Indiana, you can find out whether your catch is safe to eat,"
explained Dorworth.
For easy online access to fish advisories in Illinois, Indiana and
Michigan, go to the Sea Grant Web page at
www.iisgcp.org. If you would
like a copy of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant's latest pamphlet on
fish advisories titled "Contaminants in Fish & Seafood: A Guide to
Safe Consumption," contact Susan White at (217) 333-9441 or
e-mail white2@uiuc.edu.
[Illinois-Indiana
Sea Grant news release] |
