Toxins and the Environment In our lakes and oceans, mercury (naturally-occurring

Question

Toxins and the Environment

In our lakes and oceans, mercury (naturally-occurring and anthropogenic) is consumed by fish, resulting in magnification of the amount of mercury present and higher rates of mercury bioaccumulation. As a result, local and federal government agencies have issued warnings regarding fish consumption focused primarily on larger fish (tuna, swordfish) and potentially sensitive populations (children, pregnant women). Others have issued more stringent warnings - some even recommending eliminating fish from our diets.

Outside factors (political groups, industry organizations, environmental groups, etc.) often attempt to influence the position the FDA and Food Safety's takes on a food safety issue such as this? Should the FDA and Food Safety evaluate and consider these influences in their decision making?

Explanation / Answer

Mercury has been found to be detrimental to human health because of its bioaccumulation property. Bioaccumulation is the process in which humans take up contaminants more rapidly than their bodies can eliminate.Mercury enters human food chain through its compounds like methyl mercury and mercurous oxide. The former is accumulated through fish and other aquatic animals while the later enters through aerosols. Methyl mercury affects central nervous system and irreversibly damages brain cells e.g, in Japan (industrial release,1956) and Iraq (use of fungicides,1971). FDA has to act independently to regulate the use of these toxic compounds as it can affect all spheres of life.

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