In the mid to late 1950s, government scientists warned against eating swordfish too often because of the potential for mercury poisoning. Little has changed since then. Government scientists, quoted in a 1994 issue of FDA Consumer said that swordfish and shark were safe to eat "provided they are eaten infrequently (no more than once a week). . .." But mercury poisoning is more than just a fish story.
Although mercury in Atlantic coast swordfish made news in the 1950s, the seriousness of mercury poisoning became real when women around Minamata Bay, Japan, began having babies with deformities and central nervous system dysfunctions. Eventually almost 3,000 victims were recognized with Minamata disease, which became synonymous with mercury poisoning from mercury dumped into the sea by a local industry. Women who ate contaminated fish and shellfish were poisoned. Since Minamata, health and environmental officials have identified numerous incidents in which people have eaten fish contaminated with mercury. Today health authorities in every state monitor mercury levels in fish.
Contaminated fish and shellfish are a major cause of mercury poisoning but not the only cause. In the winter of 1971-72, more than 6,500 Iraqis were hospitalized with neurological symptoms and 459 died. Blame was placed on wheat seed contaminated with mercury. The seed had been meant for planting, but was inadvertently used to bake bread.
Stateside, near Clearlake, California, Pomo Indians blame open-pit mine tailings and other mine rubble for their mercury poisoning. Where Native American populations depend on game (as well as fish) for food, they too are suspected of being poisoned by mercury. In the food chain, game eat contaminated fish. People eat the fish.
If environmental mercury doesn't scare you because you don't live near an old mine and you know you don't eat freshwater fish, game, or a lot of swordfish and shark, stand in front of a mirror, open your mouth and say "ahh." If you see amalgam dental fillings, mercury poisoning may be as close as your mouth. Your fillings could poison you. According to numerous reports, mercury poisoning from dental amalgam may be the reason for lapses of memory and "inability to concentrate on tasks which require attention and thinking."
The long list of other potential effects is just as scary: exhaustion, headaches, minor involuntary muscle spasms, cold hands and feet, dizziness or vertigo, and fuzzy vision. Also: joint and muscle pains, stiffness, nervous heart, sleeplessness, intestinal disturbances, bloating, diarrhea alternating with constipation, irritation where mercury contacts internal tissues, bleeding gums, mouth blisters, aching teeth, a metal taste, frequent urination and still more.
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