A scientific team from the Institute of Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is conducting an analysis of the mercury concentration in 58 species of fish and seafood commonly consumed in local markets in Spain, Italy, and France. After evaluating more than 1300 specimens purchased in places like Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza, Alicante, Ametlla de Mar, L’Ampolla, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Alghero, and Marseille, researchers have discovered that 13 species have mercury concentrations always below the levels recommended as safe by the European Union.
“Consuming these species minimizes our mercury intake, which is the price to pay when eating fish. In addition, these fish have a good amount of unsaturated fatty acids, which are more beneficial from a nutritional point of view,” explains Joan O. Grimalt, researcher at IDAEA-CSIC and lead author of the study.
Mercury is a toxic element that can harm the kidneys, lungs, and the cardiovascular and nervous system, especially in pregnant women and children. Due to its physicochemical properties, this metal can travel long distances and be deposited in aquatic ecosystems, where it is absorbed by fish and other organisms. Most of the mercury ingested by the human population comes from the consumption of fish and seafood.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, reveals that the species with mercury concentrations always below the recommended limits are sardines, anchovies, small hake, “caramel” (or picarel), sea bream, gilthead, anglerfish, rock mullet, white seabream, corb, salema, dolphinfish, and squid.
“According to these results, health authorities should pay special attention to fish and seafood species with higher mercury levels and make appropriate preventive health recommendations, especially for pregnant women and children,” concludes Grimalt.
It is particularly relevant to note that larger fish accumulate more mercury. For example, studies conducted by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) have detected higher concentrations of this metal in bluefin tuna, swordfish, and some types of sharks.
via: MiMub in Spanish
