For Immediate Release: March 2, 2005

New Report Examines Science of
State Fish Advisories

(Washington, DC – March 2, 2005) In an effort to make sense of conflicting fish advisories across the United States, the Center for Science and Public Policy releases a policy-maker's guide to mercury, fish, and public health. Entitled Making Sense of Fish Advisories , the paper is a reference guide to wide-ranging scientific literature on the subject of methylmercury (MeHg) in fish frequently consumed in the typical American diet.

“Our paper demonstrates that the subject of mercury and human health is more complex and far less alarming than often is portrayed,” says Bob Ferguson, the Center's Executive Director. “There is an ominous and alarming trend for some states to declare the need for reduced fish consumption by precisely the segments of the population like infants, young children and women that could most benefit from increased consumption. There is widespread confusion concerning safe consumption thresholds, definitions, and reference doses despite differing needs among states and, all too often, in response to ill-informed political pressures.”

The science reported in current peer-reviewed literature strongly suggests that methylmercury has existed in fish and consumers of fish (both humans and fish predators) throughout history, primarily as a consequence of earth's geology and marine ecodynamics, according to the report. “There is a false perception there is a problem and that the problem is getting worse starting only since about 2000,” Ferguson explains, “and despite scientific evidence to the contrary, many are eager to assign blame to industrial sources – particularly coal-fired power plants.   Perhaps more serious than distorted reports, is the science and more positive messages in the literature that are being ignored.”

“It is our intent that Making Sense of Fish Advisories will contribute to restoring balance in making informed decisions about fish consumption,” he says. “A hyper-cautious approach seeking to eliminate all perceived risk from methylmercury consumption may well result in widespread and unintended harms to public health, particularly for small children and pregnant women. The most fundamental principle for any fish consumption advisory must be to first do no harm . Sometimes excessive or questionable regulation can be as – or more – deleterious than none at all.”

The Report can be found at www.scienceandpolicy.org .